Wydny - Elmont, NY

10/04/2016

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

0 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The campus is a good campus it's safe to go there and you don't have to worry about nothing people there are friendly the professor are nice and u will like it there i know I like it take your time and go visits tell them Wydny send you

In three sentences

It's great to know that I can found a good college that I will feel like I'm home and that I'm safe thanks to stony brooks I'm Wydny Vallere and I would like to go there so bad visiting it's not enough I would like to experience more

judy

06/13/2016

Reviewer is A current student here.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Dorm Life

the dorms here at stony brook are very mediocre compared to many other schools in my opinion. the application for housing is quite complicated and makes it hard to get into the building you want. there are two types of housing, suite and corridor. living in a suite means that you live and share a bathroom with around 5 other people. living in a corridor means that you live in a hall and share a public bathroom with everyone in that hall. also, i feel that it's pretty unfair that not every building has air conditioning and accessible elevators. i think everyone should be able to have air conditioning, especially since it gets really hot during the summer.

Ibn-Umar from Sayreville, NJ

12/22/2015

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

There are emergency hotlines all over campus and police patrol the area every night until 3 am to ensure that people are safe and not doing anything stupid. Also, there's a campus therapist and psychiatrist for people struggling with mental issues.

Greek Life

The fraternities and sororities are very good for establishing long-lasting conditions and they throw great parties.

Clubs and Activities

There's numerous clubs and organizations for students to join and get involved in.

Great for these types of students

It's great for runners and video gamers.

Bang for the buck

It's very affordable for NY students and for out-of-state students, it's one of the cheapest schools. Stony brook offers good scholarships for incoming freshmen and very reasonable student loans.

What to do for fun

The campus is located in a quiet, suburban area so you have to find ways to make your own fun. It can vary from card games to going to concerts in NYC. Whatever floats your boat.

Food and Dining

If you're a freshman student, the food is very fresh and exciting. Over time, the food loses its charm and starts to grow stale and boring. If you ever get tired of campus food, there's a bunch of off-campus dining options close to campus that offer very delicious food.

Dorm Life

The dorms on campus are very variable in features and comfort.

Academic Rigor

The hardest majors here are Pre-Med, Computer Science and Engineering.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared to work hard. Also, you have to be able to function independently and time management is a crucial skill that you must develop while at Stony Brook.

In three sentences

It's an academically good school with lots of different majors, clubs and organizations. It's very ethnically and culturally diverse so everyone who attends is sure to feel welcome and accepted.

Joyce

Pre-med, studious, science lovers, people who love homework on the computer.

Bang for the buck

I feel like Stony takes our money and I don't know what they do with it... I would say if you're out of state...unless you're 100% sure you want to study medicine, pick another school.

What to do for fun

Honestly, I feel like the amount of work I have taking only 15 credits which is what you would have to take for 2 semesters a year to graduate on time is so much work. There isn't enough time for me to join clubs or make friends. There are parties. It's becoming a party school. There are lots of clubs, I wish I had time to do stuff.

Food and Dining

Cyclone salads are good. If you go to the SAC, the Ooodles noodles are really good. Urban pizza, there's also vegan and vegetarian. Alos, Jasmine has a variety of asian food including bubble tea!

Dorm Life

The rooms are big when it comes to their size. Mine was meant to be a double with 2 of everything, but we're tripled so there's a bunkbed and 1 single bed but 2 desks, and 2 closets...if you had 2 people it would be an amazingly good deal. The bathrooms are shared with the rest of the hall and showers..they are pretty much just stalls like at camp or at the mall. I would get a suite for more privacy. Your dorm also depends on which quad which is determined by your undergraduate college (which is likea first year seminar class). Mine was LDS (leadership and service) which is not too bad, but you don't get to live in the new buildings and you're not close to West Side Dining which is the better food on campus.

Academic Rigor

Right from the start I'm going to warn you that you only get like 1-3 midterms and a final per class to really boost your grade. It's not like a normal school where you would have quizzes or tests periodically, no, it's just 1-3 midterms and the final. I'm in a lower chemistry (CHE 129) class because I decided to go easy on myself and retake precalculus. CHE 129 and CHE 130 are corequisties so I have to take CHE 130 which is a stupid class based of a workbook that you just work in groups to learn problem solving in chemistry. Basically I would wait until you have met the prereqs and go with the higher level general courses. There are some amazing professors and TA's (shoutout to TanyaLisa Agha and Professor Kahn!) If you're taking MAT courses, definitely look for them! I came in thinking I would be smart and study health sciences and neuroscience (which is a bio major concentration) and I found that literally everyone I talk to is Pe-med followed b engineering. Psychology is also popular but I feel that there aren't that many opportunities for psych students.

Tips for prospective students

Take the placement tests seriously. If you can place out of precalc and Cac 1 or Calc A then do it!! Otherwise you will have to take lower classes and check whether you want to take MAT or AMS and which ones apply to your major. Sometimes AMS might be a quicker sequence.

In three sentences

There are huge lecture halls with varying size recitations. A large portion of the students are commuters. Residence halls, don't live in a hall style...bathrooms are in stalls like at a mall or something and the showers are small and camp style... Only come if you are serious about science because the science classes are intense.

Kristy

10/22/2015

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

There are a lot of events that go on on campus. You can also go to watch the sporting games, which are free, or go and join a sport or club since there are TONS of those. There are a good amount of parties from frats or you can chill out at Dining Areas till late. On the weekends, you can visit the mall for free on weekends or sit around and enjoy the TV in residential buildings. There's an okay amount of stuff to do if one is truly bored.

Tips for prospective students

Don't come here thinking Stony Brook is easy and you'll just glide through your courses. No matter how top you were in high school, Stony Brook University will somehow challenge you.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is a really great college. The professors here really know their stuff. The campus is nice, but maybe a little isolated from other LI areas, such as off campus dining or malls, unless you have a car or its the weekend when the bus there is free.

Jeffrey from Suisun City, CA

Campus safety is the most important thing that a campus must possess because if a student feels safe than the student can concentrate and study as much.

Greek Life

Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Sociieity Since my first full semester here at the the college with a 3.83 G.P.A. it has since grown now to a 3.93 and I am quite proud of myself for the accomplishments and I look forward to maintaining what knowledge that I have accomplished thus far.

Umoja is the greatest program on this campus. and I am so proud to be a part of something special like this program. I never thought that I could be somebody with a purpose and on a mission to succeed. Thank You Dr. Karen McCord, for you have made a great impact in my life.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The Umoja Office to me is the most unusual thing I have ever been a part of in a great way because if it had not been for the direction, and encouragement, and aspirations,l and hope along with love where would I be now probably not on campus.

Bang for the buck

I ATTEND CHURCH, as much as I can and I spend as much time in school as I most possibly can because where much is expected then much is required.

What to do for fun

Bike ride, read, study, listen to music, and dance.

Food and Dining

They offer great food.

Dorm Life

Excellent dorm Life.

Academic Rigor

Great School.

Tips for prospective students

Hang in there stay determined to be the bast student that you know that are capable of becoming and the person in life that you know that you can be.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is a great campus to attend and according to what I have already read everything looks promissing at Stony Brook.

Roth Regatta- there's this nasty pond that people clean up a bit and then make a cardboard boat and race across it.

What to do for fun

There's bikes you could rent. First hour is free. There's the gym/sports complex. If you like intramural sports, handball, etc. The pool has not yet opened even though it was supposed to. There's a couple restaurants nearby. Studying.. if that's what you do for fun. The beach is about a 10 min drive away.

Food and Dining

Food was extremely overpriced for average food. It's a meal point system where you pay more dollars than the points you get. Also, a california roll can range from 8-13 points/dollars. The system is basically dollars, but they take away about $600 to cover late night dining hours, theft, etc. BUUUT, they just changed the dining system as of Fall 2015.

Dorm Life

The dorms are overpriced as most colleges. Depending if you get suite or corridor style might make your situation better. Don't overlook corridor style just yet, there's an entire floor of people to meet.

Academic Rigor

It depends on the professor/classes you are taking. Most of the science courses have a lot of students so getting help or asking a teacher to clarify might be difficult. College in general is a lot more work than high school.

Tips for prospective students

Join clubs and be outgoing. If you're shy, pretend you're not until you make friends. Ratemyprofessor to choose your classes. Makes life a lot easier. Oh and don't buy from the bookstore. There are online textbook sites as well as older college students trying to sell their textbooks.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is filled with friendly students and a 50:50 chance of getting a nice professor. A popular college choice for asian students and commuters. Pretty quite on the weekend if you're the type of person who doesn't make friends and won't have small suite/dorm parties.

Marisa from Harrison, NY

04/02/2015

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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In three sentences

This school is a great option for students from New York. I have visited it a few times and I absolutely love it! It has a campus that is big, but not too big, and it isn't in the middle of nowhere, so there are places to go and things to see for the students. Additionally, you will get a great education for a relatively low cost.

Anonymous

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Great for these types of students

students who enjoy nature will have a blast

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Good restaurant in the city better food than campus

What to do for fun

Lots of activities to do on campus although its what you make of your experience that counts

Food and Dining

not a big fan

Dorm Life

Can get boring when kids go back home

Academic Rigor

Depends on the major just like all the other schools

Tips for prospective students

study hard and make sure to keep school on track because tests can often overwhelm those who slack of

In three sentences

This school is in a very good area, most people come back to the city because its not far, and during the weekends, it gets boring here. Great fields in the sciences much better and convenient for kids looking to dorm not to far away

Students who search for an academically focused experience without sacrificing the social life or the money!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Every year, there is a Strawberry Festival where students experience everything Strawberry (pies, cookies, cakes, strawberries, jam, etc.). There is also a Roth Pond Regatta where students build boats out of cardboard and duct tape to compete in a race across the pond. The day before Finals Week starts, faculty join together to provide a free midnight breakfast for the students with food including eggs, hash browns, muffins, cereal, juice, and more!

Stony Brook has sponsored events every Wednesday including farmers markets, carnivals, pie tasting, and much more! Get a group of friends and take a trip to the nearby town of Seaport and try the clam chowder or fresh water taffy. Smithaven mall is a bus ride away and free transportation is provided on Sundays.

Food and Dining

If I were to list my favorite aspect of Stony Brook, it would be the food. Although it becomes very repetitive in what they serve, the options are endless! Stony Brook has many different food options from vegan, pastas, soups, sandwiches, Spanish, Italian, Indian, Korean, Chinese, and more! Fresh ingredients are used rather than the processed junk other campuses serve. It is a bit pricey, but the meal plan covers it all.

Dorm Life

The rooms are comfortably sized but they could be bigger. Most people get along with their suitemates and roommates. If there is a problem, the Residents Hall Directors are very understanding and able to accommodate room switches. Each floor has a RA (resident assistant) who host occasional meetings with the floor of different events happening on campus. These are the people who you will spend your nights studying with in the common lounge area until 3 in the morning, laughing about a professor or the amount of caffeine you have consumed.

Academic Rigor

Many of the classes are academically challenging, but as long as you put the time and effort in studying for the courses, you will do fine. The professors are very knowledgeable and willing to help you succeed.

Tips for prospective students

Take advantage of the opportunities offered at Stony Brook because there simply are so many chances! Don't wait for people and opportunities to come to you. Instead go search for it!

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is an academically stimulating institution that has so many opportunities in scientific research. There are a wide variety of clubs, greek life, and programs that you can be a part of such as club soccer, premed society, crew, anime club, etc. You will make a variety of friends from different ethnic backgrounds that will culture your mind.

Gina from Massapequa, NY

12/30/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

Campus safety is fine. I don't feel unsafe at any point, but I do not see a lot of security cars when I walk around or a lot of Blue Lights. The best way to feel safe is to be aware of your surroundings and have street smarts.

Greek Life

I do not have personal experience with Greek Life, but I know many people who have joined fraternities and sororities that love it.

Clubs and Activities

There are a lot of clubs that are typical, but also unique ones! We have knitting, belly-dancing, crew, several Indian dance clubs/teams, a lot of fraternities and sororities, various clubs dedicated to helping raise awareness of causes, and a Harry Potter club!

Great for these types of students

Stony Brook is great for students who are dedicated to hard-work. School work will not be your entire life, but you need to be able to have good time-management skills and the drive to persevere through the difficulties that you will be faced with.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

During finals week, we have the Midnight Scream which I thought was just one night, but is actually every night during finals week! Students open their windows and scream to let out stress.

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook is relatively cheap yet you get access to so many resources and opportunities. We get over 100 free prints (included in a fee in tuition) per week while most colleges get around that much per semester. Also, we get access to a newly remodeled gym without any surcharge (another fee in tuition that everyone pays) and there are plenty state-of-the-art machines. Additionally, we get the entire Microsoft Office Suite for up to 5 devices for free which is very useful.

What to do for fun

Get involved! Many people say that they don't have fun at Stony Brook, but they are simply expecting to have fun without making an effort or taking an initiative. There are activity fairs during Campus Lifetime which is every Wednesday. There are plenty of clubs and opportunities, it is just a matter of taking the initiative to join a club or just doing something!

Food and Dining

We have Wendy's, Starbucks (2), Red Mango, and a Dunkin Donuts on campus so there are many options. We also have a few dining halls/cafeterias that have options including yogurt, fresh barbeque-related food, and several places that switch every day between Chinese food, Pasta, and other interesting foods. There also is a place that makes fresh restaurant-style steak and grilled chicken that is very affordable. Most people say that campus food at any college is terrible, but I really can not complain about the food at Stony Brook because there are so many options.

Dorm Life

I currently live in a suite with 3 other girls. I am not in a designated 24 hour quiet building (it is exactly what it sounds like) so I know that there will be noises, but the RA's do not always enforce the rules, like how every building is supposed to be quiet after 11 PM. The RA's do make themselves available to help the students living in their building though and I can say that from personal experience. I have had to go to them many times and I have never felt uncomfortable or unwelcome. The events that they host are often corny, but they really do try.

Academic Rigor

The students are very competitive. Many of them will make sure that everyone else in the class knows their intelligence compared to everyone else. The students and coursework are what set the academic bar so high. Do not expect a 4.0 in your first semester, especially if you are in one of the engineering programs. It is important to review materials and ask for help outside of class in order to do well at Stony Brook.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure that you are participating in several extra curricular activities that are interesting/ones that not everyone does. Also, aim to have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA since this is such a competitive school. Additionally, this is a school where a lot of the learning is done outside of the classroom/lecture hall so do not expect to not do work outside of class. It is absolutely necessary to review the material and practice the problems because many classes have above 100 students and therefore, there is not a lot of interaction between the professor and students during class (many make themselves available outside of class for office hours though).

In three sentences

It is a great school with a very high bar set for its students. The other students are extremely competitive and make sure that everyone else knows it. The course work is challenging but rewarding despite the fact that some of the professors are very difficult to understand.

Chinmoyi from India

My favorite place is the Roth Pond, which is where the spring boat race happens. The pond is sometimes surrounded by ducks and I hang out with my friends a lot of times there!

What to do for fun

Stony Brook has more than 150 clubs and you will find the one's that interest you. People here are extremely friendly and welcoming! You could go to the Staller Theater to watch shows, sit by the pond and relax, burn out the extra calories in the beautiful recreation center, if its raining outside you can play indoor basketball, badminton, etc. There is a mall nearby Stony Brook and beach 15 mins away! The weekend life council has something or the other from water slides to drive in movies during the weekends!

Food and Dining

Lots of food choices with different dining options and a variety of cuisines! Red Mango, starbucks, dunkin donuts, Wendy's and lots of healthy choices as well. Halal, kosher meals also available! Asian food is worth a try as well.

Dorm Life

Dorms are clean and decent. Although I am a commuter I have spent few nights with my friends in their dorms,its not so much about the room but the roommate!

Tips for prospective students

All reviews had Stony Brook as a tough school,it sure is, but the academics here is excellent. The professors are really helpful and you will sail through if you just put in your best!

In three sentences

Science class here will grill you but it shapes your mind! It is a beautiful campus with one of the most diverse students groups. It is as amazing as I imagined it to be!

Tony from Croton On Hudson, NY

12/22/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Clubs and Activities

More clubs and activities than you'll ever have time for. I'm on the school's quidditch team and everyone is so friendly. You can walk up to most clubs when they're meeting (like the tightropers that set up in the middle of the academic mall) and they'll be friendly and invite you in.

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook has a tendency to waste money on frivolous things (vending machine skins?? Fireworks that they set off during the day??) and a lot of things they should be putting their money into (dorm quality, food quality, less popular sports, financial aid) fall by the wayside. I definitely feel overcharged for most things.

Food and Dining

Dorm food is greasy! So greasy. If you have a weak stomach, you're going to have to hunt for things that won't hurt (I recommend International Market at West Side, or soup anywhere). I wouldn't say food poisoning is common, but it definitely happens more than you would think is proper. Everything is way overpriced and the portions are either too small or too large. On the other hand, when they do something right, it is very good. Some of the food doesn't taste good at all (like corn, never buy corn) but some stuff (pasta/sandwiches at Roth, Bob's BBQ at West Side, Mac & Cheese and Burritos at the Union) is amazing.

Dorm Life

Honestly the dorms are kind of gross. They're incredibly dusty and feel like they aren't cleaned. The rooms themselves are a decent size and you can maneuver your furniture into something livable. The showers are awful. The cleaning people don't really clean much besides mopping your bathroom and giving you more toilet paper.

Academic Rigor

The classes, especially intro level, are HARD. Especially if you were the 'smart kid' in high school who didn't study but got high grades. You need to study to pass. It's also important to go to class, even when it isn't mandatory, because a lot of people fail because they think they can learn it on their own and get overwhelmed. Most classes (at least at intro level) have insane curves, but this varies by department. I got 20-30 on all of my exams in MAT126 and I still got a C.

Tips for prospective students

If you're from a small town, it will be overwhelming at first. Don't be embarrassed to read the maps or to have one on your phone. You'll get the hang of it a lot sooner than you think. Be careful that you don't overload on courses, I'd say stick to 15 credits maximum while you're adjusting to school. If you're struggling in any aspect (academic, social, mental or physical health), Stony has resources galore to help you. There's the writing center, academic tutoring services, advisors, hundreds of clubs, CAPS & CPO for mental health, the student health center, and much more.

In three sentences

If you're looking for diversity (and a lot of international students, especially from Asia) this is the place for you. Stony Brook is beautiful in the summer/spring/fall, and hideous in the winter. Also, the yik yak game is very strong 24/7.

Cara from Inwood, NY

11/03/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

There's a plethora of clubs available to join on campus. The UGCs frequently throw social events for residents. However, the party scene is pretty mediocre and complicated. If you want to go to a party, you have to wait for frat brothers to drive you somewhere off campus, sometimes waiting for an hour to end up in a cramped, sweaty and dirty frat house.

Food and Dining

There are some different options on campus, ranging from chinese (not good) to a mexican station similar to chipotle featuring $2 burritos at certain times of the day, and vegan options. It's your typical institutionalized food, somewhat bland and very easy to get tired of.

Dorm Life

Dorms are relatively spacious and clean, however many people mistreat bathrooms and kitchens, leaving messes for the cleaning ladies to clean up daily. The UGC layout of the campus leaves there to be a somewhat clique like feel- if you got placed in a ugc, thus a quad, that you didn't want, you're left surrounded with people who are on a completely different academic track than you.

Academic Rigor

Honestly, this depends on your major. If you are intending to be on an engineering track, prepared to load up on credits. As a liberal arts major, my course load is comparatively less than a majority of the school.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure that you are comfortable with the fact that you are one of 15000 at this school. Also, be mindful of your studies and intentions.

In three sentences

If you want to attend a big, impersonal, academically strenuous school, then this is the school for you. There is no real sense of camaraderie or pride shared between students. The campus is very large and diverse, but people don't like to stray from their set groups.

Virginia from Baldwin, NY

10/22/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

Although recently Stony Brook had an incident with an attempted kidnapping on campus, this doesn't appear to be the norm. Signs with the numbers of the SBU Police are outside every dorm building. Likewise, Stony Brook has a service where they will have people walk you home at night if you feel unsafe.

Greek Life

As someone who didn't participate in rush, I can't tell you much about it; however, it appears that Greek life is very active and flourishing. You always hear about something going on that's run by a sorority or fraternity. Rush occurs very early in the year, so if Greek life is for you, be prepared to get out there!

Clubs and Activities

The involvement fair at the beginning of the year introduces you to all of the clubs, Greek life, and group activities you can participate in. There's a decent amount of diversity; whether you're looking for the Pocket Theater, the Happiness Club, of the SBU Cat Network, you'll probably find something you want to get involved with.

Great for these types of students

As previously stated, Stony Brook is first and foremost a school for those looking for a career in a STEM field. However, if you're a motivated, inspired, driven student, you will go very far with a Stony Brook education.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Roth Regatta, Strawberry Fest, Stony Brook's variety of concerts with A-List performers (Back to the Brook is always incredible). There's farmers markets in the fall, festivals during Campus Lifetime (a two hour periods where not many have class), and plenty of weird inflatables in front of the SAC year-round.

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook is one of them ost reputable public universities in the country; you're getting a private school education for a public school's cost. $20K is fair, compared to the $50K+ you could be paying.

What to do for fun

There's plenty of clubs on campus, although a decent amount of them are STEM-oriented. Sororities and fraternities are abound! If neither of those are for you, you can always take a trip to the city - Stony has a train station on campus.

Food and Dining

Stony Brook's food is crazy expensive, whether or not you have a meal plan (although having the latter helps a little). Stock up on water bottles and snacks for your dorm so you won't have to pay $3.50 for one bottle of water whenever you're thirsty. Really, the key is budgeting. Don't splurge on Starbucks or Red Mango everyday. However, there is a decent variety of options, although you may have to walk a little far to get to them.

Dorm Life

Not going to lie, unless you're in Roth Quad, you're going to have a miserable time in the hotter months; Roth's buildings are the only dorming facilities on campus with air conditioning, which seems pretty silly since Stony Brook can afford to have construction going on 365 days of the year. Likewise, although there's a dining area in each quad (handy!) it can get tedious walking everywhere if you get stuck in a quad that's on the corner of campus (Kelly and Tabler). However, Stony does make a great effort to create a sense of community within quads. They group quads based on 6 or 7 different areas of study, so you're likely to be dorming with science majors if you're a science major or humanities if that is what you're majoring in. The undergraduate competitions they hold foster a sense of community and competition.

Academic Rigor

Study, study, study! Stony Brook's science and math classes are some of the hardest out there. This is good, because it ensures you'll know the material you have to. The competitive environment pressures you to do better yourself, but it does take a lot of work to make the grade. However, you know that those As are well-deserved when you do earn them. These classes really force you to learn studying and time management skills.

Tips for prospective students

Get to know your peers right away; whether that's those living in your dorm or those in your classes. Not only will you have some great new friends to destress with, but study sessions are a lot less tedious when you have someone to power through them with you. Prioritize; now, you'll get off a lot easier if you know exactly what you want to do (major and career-wise) because you can knock out all the courses you need right away. Stony Brook has a lot of general education requirements, though, so try to get those out of the way ASAP. Have fun with them, though! There's literally hundreds of options for classes; you won't necessarily get stuck in a dry philosophy class for your HUM credit.

In three sentences

If you plan on pursuing a career in a STEM field - especially one in, say, engineering or medicine, then Stony Brook University is for you. The rigor of the classes is challenging but in that prepares you for what is to come in competitive careers; likewise, with the price of a public university, you are truly getting the bang for your buck, since Stony is one of the top 25 schools for STEM careers. However, if you plan on going into the humanities, I'd tell you to go elsewhere because they are very clearly not the focus here.

Joe, On Campus, Stony Brook University

10/22/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

Campus police can be reached on speed dial. Apart from 911 the campus police have their own number and a series of Blue Light phones around campus which can be used in case of ANY emergency. The police then arrive to check any situation within the matter of minutes.

Greek Life

There are a multitude of sororities and fraternities one can join at Stony Brook University. Throughout the school year, there are various fundraisers and events held by some of these organization to help people join. They are mostly academic, but we all know that Sororities and Fraternities also help with partying.

Clubs and Activities

There is literally a club or organization for every activity at Stony Brook. If there isn't, resources are put in place to help STUDENTS to start their own clubs. How cool is that?! With over 350 student recognized clubs, there is definitely something for everyone.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Beautiful trees and several fountains reside on campus. Within 5 minutes of the campus, people can go to a Dominos Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, and a Seven Eleven 7 11.

What to do for fun

There are over 100 clubs and organizations you can join! There is literally a club for every activity, from playing league of legends, to playing a sport or even weightlifting. The Rec Center, where most people work out, is open every day, all day, and into late night, so that is a place where people can go to do yoga, work out, train, or whatever their heart desires.

Food and Dining

Although food is a little overpriced, the quality of the food is amazing and there really is something for everyone here. There are available choices to suit all of one's dietary needs and even to satisfy the hunger of those who desire just a small snack .

Dorm Life

Dorm life at Stony Brook is a real blessing. Organized into quads, buildings are set in suite and corridor style, and up to three people can reside in a room. Especially for incoming freshmen, dorming is highly recommended as it can help you meet new people, make new friends, and provide a safe place to sleep at night.

Academic Rigor

For those transitioning from high school to college, you will definitely need to put in some work. The courses at Stony Brook University challenge students to achieve new heights in their studies and to push themselves harder to get higher grades. There are office hours and tutors on campus to help you whenever you need help.

Tips for prospective students

Maybe try to learn to ride a bike or longboard. Those two seem to be the most effective way of travelling around campus. Futhermore, take advantage of all the opportunities given to you, as it will make your college life so much more engaging and worthwhile.

In three sentences

The campus, really nice... The professors, friendly if you know how to network and talk to them... The people here, really friendly and getting to meet/know new people isn't a task at all. The school is very nice, they provide fun activities almost daily for students, and with the plethora of clubs available at this school, one can have a true college experience at Stony Brook University.

David

04/30/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Bang for the buck

It's definitely worth every penny. You get a really strong education and support from the staff who are always willing to help you out. The best thing for me is the people you get to meet. The diversity is extraordinary and I've made friends of so many different races,cultures and nationalities. It's got a city vibe to it so you never feel alone and with over 350 clubs there's definitely something out there for you to get into. There are tons of internship, work and research opportunities available in different departments and even the opportunity to study abroad in a different country.

What to do for fun

Of course the number one thing is partying but there are plenty of other ways to have fun. You can join a club or clubs. There's always events going on within clubs even if you don't want to join. Every week and weekend an organization send out an email of events happening campus wide and each building normally has a meeting every week to discuss what's happening on campus and in the building.

Food and Dining

Some people hate the campus food. I personally enjoy it. It's not the food of my culture but there are very delicious foods if you know where to buy your food. It becomes a little harder when you are dieting but there is a nutritionist on campus who you can schedule an appointment with to plan out how you should eat specific to your diet.

Dorm Life

The dorm life is what you make it. You can stay in your room all day and be a loser, or you can get out interact with people in the various meetings that take place in the building. One tip I do have however is that no matter how you choose to interact remember to keep academics first because that is why you are there in the first place.

Academic Rigor

The classes are definitely difficult all around. It is a university after all but they are manageable if you put in the right amount of work. Planning the classes you will take with an adviser is a great way to map out which classes you'll be focusing on the most.

Tips for prospective students

Use every single free tutoring service available. Exhaust the TA's and professors office hours. Always place your academics first. Plan to nap at least an hour a day. It really helps to relax your mind. Join a club or intramural sport to help stress relief.

In three sentences

It is a school with endless opportunities and grooms the students to achieve high success. The diversity and school spirit is strong, leading to a sense of community where all feel at home. This school breeds tough minds and transforms students into great people.

J from Queens

Roth Rogetta is an event on May that students makes boats with only cardboards and duct tapes. It is really fun to enjoy; smaller events happens every day! You will love if you are a party animal.

Food and Dining

Most of the school dining are really good in quality, not expensive. Great in taste!

Dorm Life

Great. If you are junior, go to West Apt, dorm located near the middle of campus. Other dorms are really great, building new. Go to Roth if you really like to eat at night with delicious foods.

Academic Rigor

People who love to study, studies really hard and go to really great graduate schools all around the world. This is really great school to get Bachelor's and stepping stone for high rank schools.

Tips for prospective students

Go to Stony as a stepping stone for future, if you do not like this school. However, the professors and classes are well created to draw the full potential study of students. The professors and faculty members do worry and care about you. Study in Stony Brook U is a really great opportunity.

In three sentences

It is really great school in a view of finance; you can get great education for low pay. And there are lots of opportunities you can find!

The tradition that I enjoy at Stony Brook University is midnight breakfast. The previously mentioned tradition take place during finals week. On the first night of finals week, the university offers all students free breakfast in the student union. It is usually a fun event because everyone come dressed in the school color, red, and socialize with EVERYONE!

What to do for fun

At Stony Brook University there are several fun things to do! The university is very diverse and as a result there are many programs and organizations on this campus that brings you fun from various

Tips for prospective students

Study! I know you probably hear that a lot, but studying and time management is key to succeeding at any university!

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is an amazing University! I am not just saying this because I go here but because it is really an amazing school! There is lots to do, the environment is absolutely beautiful and so are the people here.

Eliza from Fontana, CA

03/01/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

Stony Brook offers the best facilities for exercise, including great classes of Yoga and Zumba. The campus is constructed for great walks and bike rides which you can now rent bikes rather than buying a personal bike. On the cold days however, the real fun takes place in the dorms with great activities for all students.

Food and Dining

The food on campus is always available. Stony Brook makes sure to offer food from many cultures, fresh and tasty. The meal plan at Stony Brook is one of the best choices as an on-campus student.

Dorm Life

The dorm life at stony brook is convenient. You never miss out on the weekend events. Your roommate also becomes your Bestfriend, without a doubt.

Academic Rigor

Stony Brook will push you past your limits. Students arrive clueless, but graduate with grave maturity. You will never regret your Stony Brook degree and the crazy journey that came along with it

Tips for prospective students

Stony Brook University will make you feel at home. Receiving your education will be tough, but it'll be extremely worth it. Focus on your studies, but don't miss out on all the diverse clubs and events that Stony Brook continues to establish.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University has made me fearless, from change. I'm not afraid to take a risk, to follow my passion, and to never look back. Stony Brook University has changed my entire perspective on life and that's priceless.

Alexandra from LA Habra, CA

There are a bunch of really cool things to do on Campus like Humans vs. Zombies, or Archery Club, or the Science Fiction Forum, or even Craft Night.

Great for these types of students

The best thing about Stony Brook is that there is a place for everyone here.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There is a hidden lake behind Mendohlson quad, and most of the quads/dorms have a hidden attic. Plus I've heard there are secret tunnels under campus, and that the Vaan de Graaf Particle Accelerator in underneath the school, not to mention the hospital looks freaking awesome.

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook was on the top hidden value list I found on Facebook

What to do for fun

There are parties if you know the right people, but there are also lots of great clubs and activities or sports to join in on as well.

Food and Dining

Campus food, no matter where you go, will always suck. But the vegetable spring rolls are to die for.

Dorm Life

I love dorming, mainly because it is great to live with all of your friends. The RA's are mostly pretty chill, and there is a secret attic in most of the buildings.

Academic Rigor

I'm not all that smart, and so I'd say the courses can be rigorous, but this is a great school and getting a degree from Stony Brook would be well worth it.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure to get General Chemistry out of the way early. If you can't get into a course because it is full or something like that, either put your name on the waitlist or just go talk to the professor and he/she may let you in anyways. Just make sure to talk to students and advisors, they really help to hash out your plan.

In three sentences

I love Stony Brook. It's a very challenging school, especially if you're going into the sciences, but it is also one of the top 1% of schools worldwide, and has a internationally acclaimed research program. Besides that, the people here are so nice and friendly!

HJ

02/08/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

Its hard to get around without a car, but there are free buses during the weekend that will take you to Port Jefferson (the substitute college town, well quiet port downtown actually) 5 miles away or Smithhaven Mall 3 miles away. As for me, I find myself working in a research lab during the weekends or taking bike trips. Keep in mind, this is a commuter school, so 50% of the people are gone by Friday night.

Food and Dining

Campus food is good quality, but my compliments end there. The lines are always too long, food servers are too slow, and most importantly, too expensive. Also, there are not many good options for quality ethnic foods, and Stony Brook lacks a college town to make up for that. Sadly, most people go to 7-11 or Dunkin Donuts nearby to take a break from campus food.

Dorm Life

It really depends on where you are. Although most of the dorms are a bit order, they are renovating them. I live in one of the oldest dorms (1970), but I enjoy it because of the community there. Its really what you make of it

Academic Rigor

Most of my MEC Engineering courses are difficult, but at the same time, they are very useful and applicable. Expect to work hard if you are doing an engineering major.

Tips for prospective students

Decide on your major early and commit to school. Don't think you are going to party and finish (with a good major) in 4 years. Many people come in undecided, take pointless classes, and end up staying additional semesters. Especially engineering, there is no budge for a failed class, as every class builds on top of each other.

In three sentences

I enjoy my time here as a mechanical engineering junior at Stony Brook University. As an out of state student, this was one of the few universities with a low out of state tuition and a great engineering program. I would recommend this college to those who are interested in Math, Physics, Health, and Engineering.

Not very good. Not very vegetarian or vegan friendly. The food is overpriced and the quality is not good. Best thing they have on campus is a small sushi booth which is over $10.00 for a role and a Starbucks.

Dorm Life

Most people are commuters. Dorm conditions seem fair but they are costly.

Academic Rigor

SBU is not a party school. It is more academically inclined.

Tips for prospective students

Live on campus or plan on having to have a car. The surrounding area has public transportation to Stony Brook. Also, the meal plan is not worth the money considering that the food is bad quality and not very vegetarian or vegan friendly. It is also way over priced. If you live in a dorm this can prove to be a problem unless your dorm has a kitchen.

In three sentences

My rating of Stony Brook University is relative to different aspects of the University experience. I would rate the academics and cost for Stony Brook superb. However, I would rate the location, whether, food as generally poor or inferior.

Skye from Southampton, NY

Go to sporting events Watch the marching band (I'm a member it's great!!) Take a class at the gym Hang with friends Activities in the SAC

Food and Dining

Here are many dinning options on campus. Unfortunately, the food is greasy and heavy to digest so it takes to getting used to and the healthy options are extremely pricey. Good luck on the freshmen 15!!

Dorm Life

Ok. I have had 4 different roommates and I only just finished my first semester. Bathrooms are alright, but they need to be kept clean.

Academic Rigor

Basic classes aren't too challenging. Upper division becomes ify. Science classes are difficult because of ALEKS. It's the program the use yo submit hw assignments, and it honestly sucks.

Tips for prospective students

Take a lot of tours. It's a big place and easy to get lost, but it'll become smaller as time goes by.

In three sentences

It is fun, amazing, and completely wonderful. The campus is full of energy and life and there is a sure sense of community here. What's there not to love??

Medha

01/16/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The University Police Department is an accredited law enforcement agency oriented to serve the needs of our campus community. Blue light phones are placed at more than 100 locations across campus. They provide a direct connection to University Police 24/7. UPD also has a SB Alert program that all Stony Brook members can sign up for which notifies members, by text, of any information regarding imminent safety threats or impending situations that can pose harm to the Stony Brook campus community. SB Advisory messages members for information regarding non emergency incidents that do not post an imminent safety threat. And Lastly AB Guardian is a personal blue light phone. SB Guardian's Panic Call Mode is a special number programmed into your cell phone's speed dial. When you speed dial the panic number, emergency responders will receive your location on campus as well as the basic information you give when you sign up online, including a photograph and personal description, alerting University Police as to the identity of the person in need. SB Guardian also features a timer mode where you can set a timer for the estimated time of travel if you are walking across campus. If the caller arrives safely and deactivates their timer, the University Police Department will never receive notification that a timer was ever set. If the user does not deactivate their timer they will receive a text message from the system three minutes prior to its expiration and a phone call one minute prior to its expiration to alert them to deactivate their timer. If the user does not reach their destination, or is otherwise detained, the timer will automatically trigger a panic call to University Police who will then be able to respond to their location. Users also have the option of adding a voice note that will be sent to University Police in the event their timer elapses. In the event a user is forced to deactivate their Guardian timer, Guardian includes a false deactivation code which will automatically alert University Police.

Greek Life

All Greek life groups are housed off campus, so if a student wants to be part of a fraternity or sorority it is certainly easy to get involved. However, if a student wants no part of that lifestyle, it is equally easy to avoid it.

Clubs and Activities

Stony Brook University has close to 350 recognized student clubs and organizations. Being involved in co-curricular activities create additional learning opportunities for students to increase their leadership skills and abilities. I think they are imperative to further enhancement of ones personal and academic development. We have an Involvement Fair and the beginning of each academic semester where students can meet all the student organizations and clubs in person. There are a wide range of clubs and organizations on campus (academic, spiritual, sports clubs, fraternities, sororities, recreational, performance, etc).

Great for these types of students

Honestly, I think any student can find his or her niche here, just because it is, in fact, such a large school with an amazing amount of diversity. The enormous diversity in the student body is one of the things I love the most about Stony Brook.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

On of the residential quads (Roth Quad) has a pond in it (Roth Pond - creative, right?), and every year the school holds a Roth Pond Regatta. Participation is optional, but students form teams, make boats out of cardboard, and race against the other teams on the day of the Regatta.

What to do for fun

I'm a martial arts fanatic, so I'm a member of the Boxing Club and Martial Arts Association at Stony Brook.

Food and Dining

I can't lie, the food quality isn't great. It's over priced, and the meal plan is just declining credit (no swipes or all-you-can-eat-for-one-swipe style cafeterias). This means that each item has a specific dollar amount which is taken off of your meal plan, and the majority of the things costs more on campus than if you were to get the same thing off campus.

Dorm Life

Dorms aren't the most luxurious, compared to some other universities, but again, it depends on what one makes of it. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in dorm life with hall council and quad council, as well as activities that occur within the quad.

Academic Rigor

It will be as rigorous as the student chooses to make it, depending on which classes, and the number of classes, one chooses to take as well as extracurricular academic activities once participates in.

Tips for prospective students

First and foremost, to make the best of your experience at Stony Brook, it's important to get your foot in the door. By this, I mean, get involved in things (doesn't matter what they are) out side of your classes. Stony Brook IS a large school, so it's important to get involved in student clubs and organizations to meet new people and friends, and to make such a huge university a little smaller for yourself. There is actually a Get Your Foot in the Door campaign to help students find things to get involved in.

In three sentences

Good academics for students of all levels. Anyone can find academic and non-academic activities here to challenge them. It has a large, spread out campus, and a large student population (about 24,000 students).

Amna Ali

01/12/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Never felt unsafe at Stony Brook. They have real police there, not campus security. Plus there are red buttons that around campus if there ever is an emergency. Lastly, there is a walking buddy system for the night. If one feels unsafe walking at night, they can call this number and campus will send two people to help assist you on your walk.

Greek Life

Greek Life is important in Stony Brook, but at a descent level. This school is not all about Greek life if one does not want to join. But if one does want to join, they will have many opportunities.

Clubs and Activities

The clubs and activities are endless at this school. Stony Brook has everything. During Campus Lifetime it is difficult to decide where to walk and what booth to see because there are so many clubs. It is nearly impossible for someone not to find one they want to join because we have it all. Another great aspect is that it is also easy to start a club, if one wants to.

Great for these types of students

Students who want to experience different cultures.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are so many unusual locations on campus. As one progresses to becoming a senior, they will know them all.

Bang for the buck

Best school for this. Not a costly school, the education provided by this school is worth a lot more.

What to do for fun

There is plenty to do outside of campus. There is a very nice town, Port Jeff, 15 minutes away. They have food, desert, bars, and a lake there. On campus, the campus daily hosts movies, concerts, plays for people to watch. Clubs around campus are daily having activities. Such as speed dating, making tie dye shirts, or making fun deserts. During the summer we have the staller steps, where everyone goes to play sports or just to mingle.

Food and Dining

The food is fantastic. So many options. There is healthy, vegetarian, kosher, fried food - anything the heart desires. There are also a lot of food delivery options around campus.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is great. All the residence buildings are close to each other. Classes are no more than a fifteen minute walk from any building. Buses run every fifteen minutes. It is a very comfortable environment. It is hard to miss home when I am dorming.

Academic Rigor

Without a doubt, a difficult school. Coming from getting all A's in high school, college was not the same. To get an A, once must work extremely hard. There are so many students in this university that it is difficult for each student to get special attention from professors. One must take the extra step and go to tutoring sessions, after hours, or most likely they will not succeed as well as they could have.

Tips for prospective students

Work very hard, do not expect to learn much in class. Most learning in this school happens on your own, not in class. It may seem like professor do not care, but advisers, tutors, and other students to care.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is a very difficult school, which takes most student on surprise. The education is great, but one must work very hard on his/her own. This is one of the best schools to attend because the value is much higher than the tuition.

Jenna from Farmingville, NY

This school is an EXCELLENT choice if you have financial restrictions. It's one of the top 40 public universities in the country, and especially if you're in-state, you'll be paying relatively little.

What to do for fun

There are always different movies and shows at the Staller Center for the Arts, and if you read the student life emails, there are ALWAYS events being put on by organizations.

Food and Dining

Again, I was a commuter student so I didn't have to eat the food ALL the time, but the dining options are pretty divers. There are two Starbucks, a Red Mango, a Dunkin' Donuts, and a Wendy's, as well as a variety of campus foods including pizza, Mexican, Indian, Korean, Chinese, Sushi, grill, salads, etc. There are also vegan and gluten free options; if you go to the free dietician on campus for food related issues, she's very accommodating and can help you figure out a plan for your allergy.

Dorm Life

I was a commuter student, but from what I've seen, the dorms are very general. They're not great, but they're not awful, either. There are both corridor and suite style dorms, depending on the quad you're in.

Academic Rigor

Especially in the natural and applied sciences, Stony Brook's academics are very rigorous.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you get involved. This is a huge school, and it's really easy to get lost. However, there are over 300 clubs and organizations, so there will definitely be something that you'll enjoy. Also, even if you have a large lecture (and you will), make sure you establish relationships with some of your professors through email and office hours, especially if you're struggling in the class. All of the professors are more than willing to help students who are genuinely making an effort.

In three sentences

Excellent academics, prestigious professors, and competitive students. There are clubs and opportunities for everyone if you look for them. 50% of the school body is commuter students.

The Long Island Rail Road is on campus, so you can take the train to New York City or to any adjacent town like Port Jefferson or Huntington to hit up the night life. Stony Brook in itself lies in a residential village area, so it's better to venture a bit further to find something fun and different.

Food and Dining

There are different options on campus, from West Side Dining's new hall, to the Student Activities Center. For something a bit more exotic and spicy, people head over to Jasmine in the Wang Center for Indian or Korean dishes.

Dorm Life

It depends on what type of dorm you prefer. Suites allow you to have your own living space and bathroom, while community halls allow for an open door policy with your neighbors. Apartment style living is really nice, and you have your own kitchen and living area.

Academic Rigor

It's competitive, like any other university. Classes can be big, but that doesn't stop students from forming study groups on our own. Professors have open office hours to help you through the work and through the academic year.

In three sentences

It's a great, competitive university. As a large campus community, you discover new opportunities every day, and your ability to network with new people expands. If you're looking for a great education, it's at Stony Brook University.

ReviewerX

STUDY! Good luck campus life tries to put on nice events and have concerts, but they usually fail miserably. Not many people attend events.

Food and Dining

Dining isn't exactly terrible but it isn't reliable. It can be terrible one day and decent the next. Prices are OUTRAGEOUS and lines are unbearable. Terrible value per dollar spent.

Dorm Life

Residential life is miserable. Dorms are terribly built and most residents go home on weekends. People stay in their own rooms and don't try to get to know you.

Academic Rigor

Courses are incredibly difficult and require intense devotion to studying. Plan to spend lots of your time studying.

Tips for prospective students

Do not come here if you are pre-med. The courses here are far harder than anywhere else due to the fact that they are trying to weed you out. Education is no longer about learning but by beating the curve and being a better test taker. If you are pursuing any other career I recommend it. The campus is large, but beautiful.

In three sentences

The school is decent, but class size is far too large and does not allow for truly integrated discussions and doesn't allow for meeting new people. Only way to get to know professors is through office hours. Courses for pre-med are weed out courses. Overall the campus is quite nice.

KC

10/18/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Campus police are present and parking police make rounds to all campus parking lots once an hour. I did call the police once on behalf of another student and unfortunately they were not very helpful. However, they arrived to the scene quickly, helping the student who asked for my help contacting them.

Greek Life

I have not experiences Greek life.

Clubs and Activities

I know Stony Brook has over 300 clubs and activities. I have gone to a few meetings for several different clubs but was unable to become more involved due to my work schedule. However, there is something for everyone. There's an archery club, Quidditch club, LGBTA, intramural sports, etc.

Great for these types of students

International students will feel welcome as there is a strong and diverse international community on campus.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The Roth Regatta is an annual event in April where clubs construct boats out of cardboard and duct tape and attempt to sail across Roth Pond. I have participated in this event, and although the lake can be messy it was a lot of fun! Lots of students and faculty go and all clubs can be involved.

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook tuition for an instate, commuting student was $4,000 this semester. This is the lowest tuition rate for any 4 year college on Long Island.

What to do for fun

Exercising is easy on campus with the new Campus Recreation Center. There are also numerous gyms on campus. The walkways are nice to go running or walking on because the grounds are so well maintained (landscapers are present every day). About 10 minutes away is Smithaven Mall and Loews Movie theater. Port Jefferson is a nearby village on the water that has many restaurants and small shops.

Food and Dining

Food tends to be expensive with small portion sizes. I would not say that Stony Brook has quality food by any means. However, changes were made after Stony Brook students created a Facebook to show how the food can often be... lacking. The school has responded by offering better food choices.

Dorm Life

I have not experiences dorm life at Stony Brook.

Academic Rigor

Stony Brook professors often come from elite, Ivy League universities and treat you like you are in one as well. Compared to smaller colleges, Stony Brook has a wide diversity of classes available in each department. This makes scheduling easier for students, especially those who work or prefer night classes.

Tips for prospective students

Take classes for your major first and take care of liberal art requirements later. Tons of classes for your major will cover liberal arts requirements. Don't waste the time paying for more classes!

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a beautiful campus located near quaint North Shore Long Island towns. Located near major highways, it is easy to get to even if you live far away from campus. Stony Brook has a strong community feeling for a campus with over 15,000 students and faculty!

Mariah from Rochester, NY

08/30/2013

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Campus Safety

It seems like an extremely safe campus. They have their own staff of police officers that are assigned to the college. There are systems in place to help students feel comfortable walking even late at night to where ever they need to be.

Bang for the buck

It is one of the cheaper SUNY schools with a very good reputation at the same time. The campus is located in a beautiful and safe area and it seems like a very nice place to live.

What to do for fun

There are many activities to do on campus. There are many events and there is always NYC just a bus ride away.

Food and Dining

There are many dining facilities. Some people love it and some people hate the food.

Dorm Life

Unsure.

Academic Rigor

As far as I know there are varying class sizes. There are large lectures and smaller classes as well. I don't really know about the rigor of the classes.

Tips for prospective students

Wait until September 21st to visit so that you can go on an actual guided tour of the campus.

In three sentences

Stony Brook has a gorgeous campus with a great atmosphere. People are so friendly and willing to help. It has a plethora of different activities to suit any interest.

Sharugash from Staten Island, NY

There is annual Roth Regatta. Students build cardboard boats and they will have race in Roth pond, this is one of the events students show their creativity and enjoy.

Bang for the buck

There are many opportunities for students to get work in department or administration. It varies from technical supporter, tutor, to research student.

What to do for fun

There are many clubs and there is staller center where students get a chance to see movies, theatrical performance and etc. There is Wang center, where they promote Asian arts. And there is always many programs arranged by student government. There is a very new gym with all the facilities, and they offer many classes for free for students.

Food and Dining

Food is not really great, but if you live in cooking buildings, situation can be managed.

Dorm Life

Stony Brook has corridor style and suite style dorms. Incoming freshmen are placed in one of the six colleges according to their interests and once students reach junior standard students have option to move to apartment style housing.

Academic Rigor

Since I am a biochem major, I know for sure, even most of the introductory science classes are rigorous and you have many upper division science classes and labs which you need to put 100% effort.

Tips for prospective students

They not only look for academic excellence but also extracurricular activities.

In three sentences

This is a best school for both science and liberal arts studies. It ranked among top 100 universities by US News. Very diverse school and affordable tuition.

Khris from Queens,NY

A variety of different clubs ranging for ethnicity groups to community service organizations

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

During finals week-Midnight scream to release frustrations of finals week

What to do for fun

-Mall -Movies -Join a campus club -On/off campus parties or events

Food and Dining

Offers somewhat of a variety.

Academic Rigor

The course work is challenging but will leave you well prepared if you continue your education.

Tips for prospective students

Take advantage of the resources on campus as well as making connections with professors who teach classes that you take a true interest in.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a great school that offers a valuable education with a variety of disciplines. The population is diverse and lively. There are plenty of ways to make a difference and be involved on campus.

Roth Regatta, clubs, and sports on campus. Port Jeff has a bunch of bars and lots of things to do to hangout. And of course it's between two awesome places for college people in the world! We're also close to the beach.

Food and Dining

It's overpriced for what you get, but it's getting better.

Dorm Life

I love it! I've had mostly awesome roommates and some that were OK, but not bad. They do a good job of matching you with people of similar interest.

Academic Rigor

Some of the Science and Engineering classes can be hard, but everyone finds their niche somewhere. It's easy to find a few friends and make study groups and such.

Tips for prospective students

Get involved! The more you do, the better off you'll be and the less lost you will feel. Student jobs are a great thing!

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a campus located between NYC and Montauk. It has both very large classes and very small classes and people/classes for every background. This school has been great so far and there is always something to do!

Brooklyn, NY

07/16/2013

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Campus Safety

High importance is placed on campus safety. Security guards are everywhere and they're really friendly, so don't be afraid to approach them. There's even a service where you can call for someone to escort you to your dorm if it's really late at night and you don't feel comfortable walking alone.

Greek Life

I'm clueless about Greek life at the moment, but I am interested in pledging once I move on campus.

Clubs and Activities

There are so many interesting clubs. I didn't even get a chance to look through everything.

Great for these types of students

I personally think that Stony Brook is for everyone.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Stony Brook Uni has a cash card called Wolffe's wallet that you use to make purchases on campus or at participating vendors such as Starbucks. I just thought that was an interesting name and a useful card since you get discounts!

What to do for fun

There are hundreds of clubs and activities. A number of gyms are also on campus; I believe every quad has their own gym. If you like to work, there are numerous jobs available to students. Greek life and varsity sports are also very popular among students. A free shuttle bus will take you to shopping centers on the weekends. I'm sure there's a lot of activities to keep you busy.

Food and Dining

There are a lot of options available. They offer various cuisines from different cultures. But I hear everything is about average, so I'll have to do a taste test.

Dorm Life

I'm not too sure about the dorm situation as yet, but I hope I don't get a triple occupancy room!

Academic Rigor

Academics is taken very seriously at Stony Brook Uni. Plagiarism is absolutely not tolerated and can result in expulsion. Maintaining a 3.0 GPA is in your best interest.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you get everything on your checklist done on time! It's always best to be over-prepared than to wait till the last minute to get all your forms in. It'll make for a smooth transition during the orientation and move-in day.

In three sentences

So far I've only visited Stony Brook during the summer session and to me it seemed very quiet. I was surprised by how large it was because I am a transfer from a college in the city, so all the space, distance I would have to walk from class to class and nature was like culture shock to me. Everyone seems friendly. It is a relatively diverse campus and I noticed a lot of foreign students during orientation.

David from Ellicott City, MD

In-state tuition is very low and I received a substantial scholarship as an out of state student. Watch out for high annual food ($4000-5000) and housing ($7000) costs.

What to do for fun

Stony Brook athletics have improved significantly in the past few years, and there is always something going on. On weekends there is free bus service to the nearby Smith-Haven Mall. Also, there's a great small town community in Port Jefferson which is one town over. Of course, you could always just party every night of the week or sample some of SBU's quality selection of drugs.

Food and Dining

There is no traditional meal plan. Everything is priced in the dining hall (pizza, $3.29, soda, $2, etc.) each meal plan also includes a $564 operating expense which further inflates costs. You can expect to pay up to double for meals at SBU as other schools. Selection is moderate, with most items offered most day, lacking sufficient variety. A new dining hall near Roosevelt and Kelly Quads should be open for Fall 2013, hopefully reducing lines and wait times. Food service is available at some locations until 3am.

Dorm Life

Live on campus! That being said, be prepared for people not to be as friendly and outgoing as you'd like - that takes effort. Be cognizant of write-ups. If you like to have fun they can stack up quickly and get you kicked off campus.

Academic Rigor

Even DEC classes (diversified education curriculum - your general education classes) will be difficult. It is nearly impossible to plan a schedule of easy A classes so if you're looking for a college like that, look elsewhere.

Tips for prospective students

Don't get too hung up on where you're living, but do live on campus with a random roommate. You're very free to move and switch roommates if absolutely necessary. See your advisor often and build good relationships with professors. Once you justify skipping class once you will always be a little bit more okay with it. Don't go down that road.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a challenging school. The student body is incredibly diverse and even the most picky can find their place. It appears not to have the warmest social environment but most who complain are guilty of not trying.

Rheannonn from Pine Island, NY

07/09/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

For such a large campus, safety has never really been a concern of mine. I have never been out and felt that I was at risk for any reason. If you were to be walking and feel unsafe for any reason, there is a campus walk service which you can call for aid, and they will be very happy to walk you anywhere you need (and you should seriously take advantage of it!)

Clubs and Activities

There are plenty of clubs on campus, for nearly any and every kind of activity imaginable.

What to do for fun

There is almost always some sort of festival or event going on somewhere on campus, although I've never been very much interested in them. I prefer hanging out with my friends in our dorms, meeting up with people elsewhere on campus (Starbucks or the new recreation center), or going off campus for a bit of exploring.

Food and Dining

The food actually isn't terrible. What is terrible, after three years on campus, is that the menus don't have enough variety. Your options at first seem incredible, but as you adjust to college life, you begin to be very underwhelmed. However, there are two different locations on campus for Starbucks, there is a Dunkin Donuts tucked away in a nook in Tabler quad, and there is a brand new Red Mango.

Dorm Life

I give dorm life a three out of five simply because living in the dorms can be hit or miss. Some buildings themselves are in terrible need of remodeling, and a lot of people are exceptionally annoying and not who you would ever want to live near (mostly because they've had their parents taking care of them and their space their entire life, and have no concept of how people in the real world function). I really recommend finding a friend or friends in your freshman year who you can at the very least tolerate, and then try to room together the next year.

Academic Rigor

Classes are usually fairly simple to understand--if you go, you listen to your professor, and you do the work expected of you, you should almost never have any issues. I know personally that I've never felt overwhelmed by my coursework when I've been responsibly taking care of my assignments.

Tips for prospective students

This is a very good place to go for students who don't know quite what they want to do, in most respects. SBU offers courses in a wide variety of topics, and you'll likely find what you want after a while of searching.

In three sentences

At Stony Brook, you should almost always get your moneys worth for your college experience. If you have an aptitude for the classes you take, you will enjoy them, and you will likely do well. Overall, this is a rather good college to attend.

Allan from Staten Island, NY

Campus PD is literally everywhere, there are also student security, people who you can call to walk you to places at night

Clubs and Activities

Not too well versed on the clubs around campus, but they do actively try and recruit people, there's always some type of event going on for the clubs and sometimes they're free.

Great for these types of students

Self motivated students, hard workers

Bang for the buck

Definitely worth the money, some teachers may not speak english well, but if you are lucky enough, you will get some of the best teachers in their respective fields.

What to do for fun

The school organizes events, buildings will organize their own, then there's always Port Jeff on the weekends, parties as well.

Food and Dining

New dining hall just opened up, so I've got high hopes for that, other than that foods expensive, and line are long. The wraps are always good, Union Deli has some great sandwiches, Kelly Dining had a great fish market which also does steak nights on thursdays.

Dorm Life

I've been lucky enough to have very good suitemates and roommates. As for the buildings themselves, they are old, there will be bugs and if you do put in work orders to have things fixed be warned they take forever, you will have to go down to the quad office and complain sometimes. Depending on where you live, the RA's can be very chill, you will get to know some of them very well, through building events or run into them at parties.

Academic Rigor

The sciences classes are very tough, be prepared to put in some extra work. There are free tutoring sessions available for anyone who wants it.

Tips for prospective students

Do your research, make sure you know what you want to do or at least have an idea, and don't be afraid to ask upperclassmen for help, advisors can only do so much, it's the students that have gone through all their hoops that will be more helpful. STAY ON THE WEEKENDS, people complain that everyone leaves, well you can change that by staying.

In three sentences

If you're coming here for the hard science or premed track, be warned it is tough. You will have to study on your own and put in extra time outside of class, luckily there are several resources available to students to help them study.

Kevin from Brooklyn, NY

06/29/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

Join one of the many clubs to release the stress from studying. Participate in campus lifetime, where most of the students are free from classes. Play sports outside in the fields or enter the newly built recreational center to bulk up, play ball, or simply relax!

Food and Dining

Excellent food and variety too. Asian cusine to Vegetarian food. There is everything here to satisfy every background.

Dorm Life

Excellent dorm life. Its quiet and everything is always stable thanks to the Residential asistants. Your safety is stony brooks priority. Students are required to check in with their ID if they are returning back into the dorms around 10pm at night until approximately 3 am early morning to prevent unwelcomed guests

Academic Rigor

The classes here are a challenge. Students must study and do all the work. Like any college, it isn't a game and no time should be wasted. As long as you attend all the lectures, do all the homework and study effectively, students should have no problem with the classes.

Tips for prospective students

College is not like high school. Have a new mind set and be prepared to take the next step towards achieving your future goals. Don't give up just because jobs are scarce at this moment. Go to all your classes, study hard, apply for internships, and always plan ahead.

In three sentences

Stony brook University provides people with high quality professors that meet every students needs. This higher education challenges students with rigorous classes and provides maximum flexibility to prepare us for the future. In addition, there is a great deal of clubs, social gatherings, and events to keep everybody entertained.

Andrew from Brooklyn, NY

There are campus cops that patrol the area 24/7. They are really cool too and only look out for your safety. It feels very safe to be here.

Greek Life

TONS OF PARTYING AND CONNECTIONS.

Clubs and Activities

One of the highlights of Stony Brook. You get introduced to so many cool things in life by joining a club you never thought of joining.

What to do for fun

The amount of clubs and activities that are available to everyone go into the hundreds. I was first hesitant to join a club but by doing so, I got to meet people that introduced me to parties and fun stuff to pass time on campus. If you're looking to let lose and party, the Greek life is cool as heck and is highly respected on campus. There are multiple sport centers that have gyms, basketball courts, tennis courts, and so much more. I never got bored during my first year here.

Food and Dining

The campus has multiple dining centers that surround the residential areas. The food is cheap and tastes really good. There are chefs that prepare the food you want right in front of you. Everything from Chinese to pizza to healthy salads and fruits. I don't recall ever being hungry during my first year at Stony Brook.

Dorm Life

Students are usually let down to see a small room shared by anyone more than themselves be called a dorm, but in Stony Brook, the dorms have some of the cleanest and spacious rooms I have seen while searching for colleges. During my first year, our room had a balcony that we could sit outside in and study while basking in the sun. The RA's here will try and help you before anything and are really friendly as well.

Academic Rigor

The classes that every student can openly chose have great professors that give enough work for you to learn the subject. I don't recall being overloaded with work at any point of my semester besides studying for the finals. Every class that I took left me with so much knowledge that I didn't even expect learning.

Tips for prospective students

Don't be afraid to be social! Look for clubs and activities that interest you. It might sound like a generic tip but this cannot be more true. The people you meet in these clubs open up so many new opportunities for you.

In three sentences

It is both an educational and relaxed environment. There are plenty of friendly people and professors that take every bit of effort to help you. Four most memorable years of your life.

Eric from Alpharetta, GA

06/27/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

It is not hard to find something to do. You will always fins friends who are making their own fun and you can join right on in. There are also many University sponsored events that are always hours of fun.

Food and Dining

Food can be better. There will always be someone complaining about the food, but in my opinion, it is very edible and delicious if you know where to go for food. It is college food after all. We can't always expect home cooked meals from home right at our local University Cafeteria.

Dorm Life

I met my family in my dorm building. I spent all my time with them and the room itself was exactly what I wanted. It was spacious and had plenty of storage capacity. The rooms had a lot of potential for decor and adding personal touches. The residents and the dorm itself are things that I could not possibly improve upon.

Academic Rigor

The classes are what you make of it just like in any other University. Stony Brook offers many diverse classes that you may enroll in. How you do in these classes and what you learn is all up to you. However, it definitely does help you get in the mindset. the staff, for the most part is friendly and supportive.

Tips for prospective students

Just keep an open mind and follow your dreams. Stony Brook will definitely help you get there.

In three sentences

It is literally home. Other than academics and student life, there are supportive friends and staff who become your family. Stony Brook does not have to try hard to help you feel welcome.

Shaiban from Bronx, NY

There is plenty to do for fun. Stony Brook has a great recreational center with a gym and basketball courts, and there is a shopping center which is only about a ten minute drive from campus.

Food and Dining

There are a decent amount of dining centers on campus, but no where near or around campus. The food is not of the highest quality, and I recommend you learn how to cook and go grocery shopping.

Dorm Life

The dorms area great in Stony. They are designed so that students will interact with each other but still have the privacy they need to work and study. AVOID ROOSEVELT QUAD!!

Academic Rigor

Stony is definitely one of the more rigorous schools around. You can attend this university with an easy major with a light work load and do well, but if you really want to succeed you will have to be willing to put forth the work.

Tips for prospective students

Come prepared to work. If you are going to attend this school, the only way you are going to do well is if you put all you effort towards bettering yourself as a student.

In three sentences

I would have to describe Stony Brook as nearly perfect. It focuses on the sciences, is in a quiet area, and its tuition is not the highest around. However, the tuition is still a bit much for me personally and classes are a bit to large for my taste.

Jonathan from New Providence, NJ

06/20/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

As far as I can tell, the campus is pretty safe. I have walked really late at night across the entire campus many times and have never faced any sort of situation. There are blue lights across campus that you can press in case there's an emergency. You can also get an escort to take you wherever you need.

Clubs and Activities

SO many! And if you want to start your own, then do it! I have met so many people by attending clubs. It also leads to making connections with certain people who could end up helping you in the future.

Great for these types of students

If you love the sciences and wish to do something in the medical or engineering field, then Stony Brook is definitely for you. That's not to say that other majors can't succeed here, but the science courses are revered here.

Bang for the buck

Definitely worth the money, and I'm an out of state student, so that's saying something. Besides the education, we get free membership to the REC center and computer sites all over campus, just for a couple of examples.

What to do for fun

There are so many clubs you can join; you just have to go out and find out about them. There are also events held every week, and there's a weekly newsletter that gets emailed to everyone with this information.

Food and Dining

Some places at Stony Brook don't serve the best food, but the Deli, the SAC Wrap-Line, and Jasmine are a couple of the places that are worth it. I always make sure to try to get at least one meal from these places because their food is probably the healthiest.

Dorm Life

My closest friends are the ones that I met in my dorm. Go to hall council! You will meet the best people there, and it will make college feel like home. The bathrooms can get a little messy on the weekends.

Academic Rigor

Don't be fooled by anything. Stony Brook sure packs a punch when it comes to school work. However, IF you take the time to study, IF you go to recitation/review sessions, and IF you ask for help, you WILL do well. You just have to go out and get it!

Tips for prospective students

Go out and explore! You won't know what Stony Brook has to offer if you don't actually go and find out. I remember spending my first weekend walking around the entire campus and into random buildings with other random students that I met along the way. Also, make sure to go see your adviser! He/she is beyond helpful; trust me.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is a large, public university that can actually feel like a small, decently sized school depending on what you make of it. The amount of resources available to the students is amazing, and the education here is definitely better than some might expect at first. With a beautiful campus and great people, I honestly cannot wait to go back for my next semester and the many more years to come.

Anyone who is capable of taking challenges academically and socially. SBU is a large school and one can feel lost at times.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Midnight Scream: during finals week all students scream the midnight of their exam Campus lifetime: takes place every wednesday at 1pm. No one has class at that time and there are plenty of activities going on for about an hour and a half around the academic mall.

What to do for fun

Campus lifetime, weekend life many students head to NYC and have fun, plenty events during weekdays just not much on the weekends considering everyone go to the city.

Food and Dining

Food is ok, not the best but it'll do. Only think I don't like is that you have to live in a cooking bulding in order to not have a required meal plan (there are only four cooking buldings and they are competitive to get into).

Dorm Life

Two types of living style ; corridor and suite. Haven't had a problem with roomates yet

Academic Rigor

All majors are difficult at this school , but Stony Brook tends to put an emphasis on the sciences which causes neglect for students studying other subject areas

Tips for prospective students

Tough school with an intensive focus on the sciences so beware

In three sentences

All in all great school. Just choose who you hang out with. Just finished my freshman year and I love the school.

Cheryl from Ridgewood, NY

Go out to the campus events. Check out the Greek life. Go to the football games, especially homecoming, and don't forget to spend the summer days on staller steps.

Food and Dining

I think for the most part, the food is good. My favorite place was Kelly Dining because it was right next to my quad and it had the best quesadillas and the best everything.

Dorm Life

I loved dorming! I can't wait to start my second year dorming. It was such a great experience for me. I felt so independent and it was great being my own person. I met so many new people and you just have fun nights at Stony.

Academic Rigor

Although Stony Brook is a SUNY, it's one of the top research schools in the country. The health sciences classes are some of the most difficult, and getting an A is extremely difficult, but dedication to schoolwork can remove this challenge.

Tips for prospective students

Definitely go out and get involved with the student life. College is a time for exploration and you should try and become involved as much as you can, but stay on top of your work because Stony Brook is a tough and competitive research college.

In three sentences

I think the community at Stony Brook is amazing. All the undergraduate students truly dedicate themselves to their respective undergraduate colleges and to school work. The advisors are amazing and they are always there to help. The environment is great and the school is huge and they reward the students with so many opportunities to thrive. I give SBU a 9 out of 10.

Evando from Westhampton Beach, NY

06/13/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

The campus police are all over, and safety is their concern. Although they can be a bit over responsive at times for certain situations that don't really require that sort of response, they are very effective and fast. With blue light phones that you can press for help all over campus, as well as campus walk where you can be escorted to and from somewhere this campus is really student friendly and safe.

Clubs and Activities

The clubs here are super fun and overall provide a great atmosphere. They have their own events to get members involved and are very welcoming to new members.

Great for these types of students

I would this school is for the type of student who works hard but can also make a little time for going out. The workload you suffer is very different than in high school but with dedication and a little luck everyone ends up doing well.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

During finals week we have a tradition of letting the steam out so to speak. At midnight every night everyone screams out of their window or wherever they are, making it the midnight scream.

Bang for the buck

Being a SUNY school, and one of the best to boot, Stony Brook offers a terrific deal. If you are an instate commuter the price is about 4,000 for tuition but by living on campus it ends up being 18,000. I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a bang for the buck type of school, as the education offered here is definitely worth more than the money you pay to attend.

What to do for fun

Stony Brook offers a great varied of night life. Most of the younger classes tend to go to frat parties which are held about once or twice weekly, although they lack organization and sometimes two parties will be the same day of a week. Older students and athletes tend to head to the nearby bars, The Bench being a very popular spot near campus. As far as gaming there are constant lounges held and the people are very friendly about accepting new gamers into their group. The school itself offers many events that are worth going to and they end up being very fun. The clubs and organizations really do try their best to get the student body involved and as a member of the soccer club it was a great experience that I would recommend to everyone. Overall if this category had a rating I would definitely give it 3 stars because although there are many great events the party scene tends to fall short of other bigger schools.

Food and Dining

The food and dining at first seems like it should definitely receive 5 stars. However, repetitive meals and the constant dining that you have if you dorm on campus makes meals less enjoyable. Usually students will find about 5 things that they truly enjoy a lot and abuse it; for me that ended up being the burgers. The fish I heard is great and they serve steak every week which is a great treat, although both are fairly expensive in terms of meal points (~roughly twice as much as a burger or a burrito for example) so I would recommend a gold plan if you are the type to love your fish and steaks.

Dorm Life

Dorm life can be great if you find the right niche. The most important part like many colleges is that you just find that right group of friends and eventually through bonding dorm life becomes very enjoyable. During finals week things can get hectic because often times students are very wired and a bit messier but overall the cleanliness is what you would expect from college students. The dorms are fairly close to classes and dining, with gyms scattered through every quad; usually everything is within a 10 minute walk or a bus ride. Speaking of the busses they come fairly often, and run pretty early till late at night (around 11 P.M.).

Academic Rigor

The academics is what you would expect from the school requirements to get it. The sciences are generally very tough and most people who take them often complain, but the curve is usually in the students favor and they end up doing well as long as the time is put in.

Tips for prospective students

Stony Brook is a very smart school and most people there will reflect that. I would say make sure you go to campus at least twice during full blown classes to get a feel for the demographic because it is very heavily favored to certain races.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University provides a very broad range of activities, from the constant partiers, the gaming communities and everything in between. The teachers are usually hit or miss, but even the ones who are a miss still provide an excellent education. The dining is varied but often times after a student picks their favorite foods they tend to get old and repetitive.

Diana

05/16/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

This is an incredibly safe campus. I used to wander through a trail in the woods to get to my friend's quad and never ran into any problems. There are stations every few feet that allow you to call for help or somebody to escort you home. There are also certified students that patrol the campus in case anything happens. Campus police responds fairly quickly to situations when needed. Fights just about never break out. You just have to watch out for drunk teens after 9pm... that's about it!

Greek Life

Greek Life here is how it is in most places... I am not part of a sorority or fraternity, but my friends that are never complain.

Clubs and Activities

There is a wide variety of clubs and activities to choose from -- you just have to find them on your own cause they don't do a great job of advertising them with the exception of the annual club fair.

Great for these types of students

If you're a science major with a modest budget, look no further! If you like a big campus and want to feel surrounded by people at all times (excluding weekends), then this is also a good choice for you.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Stony Brook hosts something called 'Roth Regatta', where students are encouraged to build boats out of cardboard and duct-tape, and then race them across the infamous Roth Pond located in the center of one of the quads. We also have a pretty awesome mascot... the Seawolf! He is actually just a wolf and we call him Wolfie but he shows up to almost every school event and is incorporated into everything (our logo, our motto, our money system).

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook is great for the amount of money it costs. If you work hard, you'll get an amazing education. If you make the right friends, you'll have fun. If you numb your taste buds, you won't starve! All-in-all, it's what you make of the experience.

What to do for fun

The problem with Stony Brook is that it is in the middle of NOWHERE. They like to falsely advertise that they are just a train-ride away from the city, but in reality, that train ride is over two hours long. If you like the house party scene, you might be interested in joining a fraternity/sorority -- they host their own parties every other week. There are few bars/clubs in the area, so good luck with that. Fortunately, the school is attempting to amp up their on-campus weekend events, so hopefully it will be less painful to stay there during weekends. Otherwise, the school is a ghost town come Friday afternoon! Honestly, you just have to make the right kind of friends and you should be able to turn every experience into something fun.

Food and Dining

The food can be compared to high school cafeteria food. There are a few good choices around campus (Red Mango and Wendy's for midnight munchies), but most of the time you have to pick whatever will help you survive the next few hours... Each dining hall has more or less the same options of food: Asian, pizza, burritos/quesadillas (most popular), burgers/sandwiches, salads. You get used to it after a while, but it's definitely nothing compared to a home-cooked meal. It would be more bearable if it wasn't so overpriced! An average meal costs $10-$15.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is average. Most of the buildings are old and unimpressive. 1/3 of freshmen are tripled every year (three students required to live in a room barely fit for two). It's an adequate amount of space, but overpriced in comparison to other schools. Depending on your RA, you can usually have small, modest parties. Rules on over-night guests are not reinforced at all. They're picky about the items you can keep in your room, though. All of the quads (groups of buildings) are closing to dining halls, and they're all within 5-15 minutes of classroom buildings.

Academic Rigor

It depends on your major. The science majors have it pretty rough; their workload gets very heavy and the amount of knowledge professors demand from their students can get overwhelming. Most of the 100 and 200 level courses seem more like 300 level courses! You'll definitely learn a lot but only if you put an honest effort and a lot of time into it.

Tips for prospective students

The majority of students are majoring in biology or psychology, so you might feel excluded if you aren't in some kind of field of science. Most of the classes are huge, so if you prefer a more personal college experience, turn elsewhere. I would highly recommend trying to get involved in school activities (clubs, sports events, festivals) as it makes you feel like a part of the community rather than one in 25,000.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a great place to get a very diverse education, but it is easy to feel lost here. Generally the professors are decent, people are friendly, dorms are livable, and classes are bearable (depending on your major). It's a very average school.

Elizabeth from Bayshore, NY

The school works hard to protect its students. There are emergency phones and the school has its own police force that patrols the campus. The campus is pretty safe, even at night.

Great for these types of students

This school is great for the studious people who are really committed to learning and research. The College of Business also seems to be growing, which is great for anyone looking to get an MBA or become a CPA.

Bang for the buck

I don't think it's possible to go anywhere else and get the same education for the cost of tuition. The teacher's are mostly good, the library database is perfect for research projects, and the school is constantly improving upon itself.

What to do for fun

For the commuter students, it's a bit hard to find things to do for fun. The Strawberry festival is always amazing, and the new gym on campus is incredible. I love going there after a hard day of lectures.

Food and Dining

The food is expensive and it's hit or miss. The Deli makes great sandwiches and the food trucks are good, but they can be pricey. The salad bar in the SAC is reasonably priced and a healthy option.

Dorm Life

From what my friends have told me, dorm life is mediocre. There seems to be things going on for those who live on campus, but you really need to look. Dorms are very small, but it's expected for any college.

Academic Rigor

The school has traditionally been a tough school, and it still is. Classes like organic chem, physics and chemistry will push you harder than you might expect, but TA's and Professors are always around to assist students. The psychology classes tend to lack in difficulty.

Tips for prospective students

Always ask questions about things you're not sure about. If you want to graduate on time and do well at SBU, ask your professors and advisers about which classes to take and what opportunities are available for you. Go for the research opportunities and the internships because they're a fantastic learning experience.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is an incredible place to strive for academic achievement, make new friends, and learn about yourself. The classes are challenging, it's easier to find people who think like you, and the curriculum encourages people to leave their comfort zone. Definitely, a great place to study.

Anonymous

04/28/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

SBU has an excellent campus safety program. There are RSPs who will either walk you or give you a ride to your dorm rooms after a late night at the library. There are also emergency blue lights all over campus.

Greek Life

Greek life at SBU is very popular. One can find a Greek life based on your major or personal interest.

Clubs and Activities

There are over hundreds of different clubs and activities to get involved in at SBU. It is not hard to find a club or create one if you are passionate about something.

Great for these types of students

I think all types of students can fit in SBU. SBU is accepting of people from all different backgrounds and interests. The variety of majors and the diversity in the student body will make anyone feel at home.

The education you receive here, for the price we pay is incomparable to any other.

What to do for fun

Join clubs and explore the university.

Food and Dining

There are a variety of options available for food and dining. We have Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Native spice, Wendy's, Starbucks, etc.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is very exciting. There are always a lot of programs and events happening to keep you connected. You make lifelong friends here at SBU.

Academic Rigor

Academic wise, SBU challenges its students. The courses can be hard but they are manageable if you put the effort in. There are help sessions and TAs that are extremely helpful who will be there to guide you.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is one the best universities in NY. It is at a good distance from the hustle and bustle of the city life, giving you a peaceful environment to stay focused. But it also has an exciting campus life and student body where you can meet students from all different backgrounds and interests.

Ruby from Flushing, NY

Food here is very expensive for no reason. Also, there is limited food choices here so that means you will become tried of school food very fast. The only tasty food Stony has is deserts and burritos.

Dorm Life

There are three different types of dorms at Stony Brook: corridor suite, and apartment style. I live in corridor style dorm and i like the size of the room and the cleanness of the bathroom.

Academic Rigor

As a freshman at Stony, most of the professors I had so far are very enthusiastic about their subject and is willing to help students to pass the class. Even though most of my classes are lecture classes (classes with 100 or more students), I have small recitation classes (20 students) once a week where a TA goes over the materials the professor taught in the lecture class. Also, as a freshmen, I had two introduction classes where i learn about Stony Brook and various majors available.

Amy

04/01/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Safety is a high priority for the school and the students are constantly updated about certain events that may arise through email or the school website. During Hurricane Sandy, I was surprised with how safe I felt in the school. We were also constantly updated through email, text, and the school website about what was going on with everything. Sometimes students put themselves in danger and people can try hard to prevent that from happening but sometimes it does happen and campus safety tries hard to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Greek Life

A lot of greek life on campus. Many of them are big on partying, mostly off campus.

Clubs and Activities

There are probably over 100 clubs on campus. During Campus Lifetime a lot of events happen in the Student Activities Center so it keeps Stony Brook very lively with activities in the day, while having special events in the evening providing free food or fun shows for student entertainment.

Great for these types of students

Great for students who want to find quality education at a lower cost. For its price you'd be surprised what is available here!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The Wang Center is a very beautiful building. It holds a lot of lectures and guest speakers come to make presentations.

Bang for the buck

Considering the price for Stony Brook, you get a lot out of it if you try to find something. Some people complain about being depressed or being bored but there is so much you can do here, you just have to find it. As for education, you're getting your money's worth if you work for it. If you ask for help, you should be able to find it.

What to do for fun

The new recreation center has a lot of courts for various sports. There's a lot of great areas like the Staller Steps for frisbee or football. There are off campus bars and clubs as well as clubs on campus you can join for volunteer and leadership activities.

Food and Dining

There are a lot of places to eat on campus and off. If you're looking for something on campus, the few good places would be food chains like Wendy's, Red Mango, Starbucks, and Dunkin' Donuts. Other than that, the school can do a little better with the taste and cost of the food. What you pay for is not satisfying for the most part unfortunately.

Dorm Life

The dorm life can be depressing for some if you don't find it easy to make friends but there are parties on campus if you know people who know people. The best part about dorm life is not the parties but the people you meet and the friends who accompany you.

Academic Rigor

Some classes are extremely difficult in that you may need to do a lot of studying or reading but that comes with all schools. Science classes require more time for studies while non-science classes may be filled with essays and reading which can also be time consuming for some.

Tips for prospective students

Get involved in the clubs and make new friends so that you don't only just spend time studying, but definitely don't forget to study. There are a lot of great places to study! You will learn that managing time is one of the most important skills for life. The midterms come sooner than you think but leave room for fun!

In three sentences

Stony Brook provides great classes at an affordable price. The material is challenging and detailed. Tutoring is provided for students who use it to their advantage. A lot of great technology is integrated into the school system so students can access useful resources easily.

Vincent from Maspeth, NY

Its pretty safe over here. However, don't leave your valuables unattended such as your electronics.

Greek Life

I haven't rushed for a fraternity yet but I might.

Clubs and Activities

The Culinary Club is friendly and you can learn to make certain dishes.

Great for these types of students

Stonybrook is great for all students. The faculty helps you discover what kind of field of work is right for you.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

We have many events that are unique to our school so if you transfer or get accepted into our school you will find out.

Bang for the buck

If your lazy to walk around campus I suggest you bring a bike or a skateboard/longboard. It makes getting around campus quicker than waiting for the convenient bus.

What to do for fun

I usually hang out with friends. Play basketball or indoor handball. If I am feeling up to it, I sometimes workout.

Food and Dining

The food is great but for me its kind of repetitive.

Dorm Life

I LOVE MY SUITE AND SUITEMATES! They are so fun and we have a blast over here. We aren't too loud that we disturb others but its really friendly and we all have similar interests.

Academic Rigor

Some classes are rigorous while others can be a bit casual and carefree.

Tips for prospective students

If you transfer here I hope you become more outgoing because if you don't reach out to others you will most likely get lost around campus and making friends will be a bit more difficult unless your interests connect.

In three sentences

It seems pretty big but once you get comfortable it seems smaller. The faculty and students here are really friendly and nice. Overall, I love this school.

Matthew from Patchogue, NY

02/28/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Bang for the buck

Tuition is really affordable compared to other SUNY or private colleges.

What to do for fun

Whether you want to play a game of some kind on the Staller steps. Go to fun events hosted in the Student Activities Center or just tour around the campus with your friends, you'll always find something to check at almost any point.

Food and Dining

The food is okay, plenty of options. But the prices are on the obscene side. Plus you don't get a big meal plan if you're a commuter like I am.

Academic Rigor

A lot of the classes don't kid around. If you don't keep up with the assignments or readings you could fall behind almost instantly.

Tips for prospective students

Check with advisory constantly to know what you have to do to get your degree. Always be on the look out for any events, groups, or other opportunities that may be of interest. Finally, make a plan before each semester because so much goes on that you can only keep up if you become good at organizing your schedule.

In three sentences

It's a large and active campus. The courses are incredibly challenging and worthwhile. And there is plenty of opportunity to find some of interest through this school.

Ericka from Milton, MA

02/07/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

There are some questionable spots around campus where I have heard some rumors, but the campus police are also improving along with the university, but i think their main job is giving parking tickets to anyone and everyone.

Greek Life

There is no greek row, so the greek life is not like other schools. I have heard that the frats and sororities are great to be a part of but have never participated in any of them.

Clubs and Activities

There are many clubs and activities to be a part of and if you cannot find one for you then you can always start one. I participate in the pre-nursing society club and we do a lot of volunteer work.

Great for these types of students

There is a diverse community at Stony Brook, so no matter your race or ethnicity you will never feel alone.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There is a bamboo forest on the outskirts of the campus which is pretty cool, and our mascot is unusual because it is a mythical creature called a seawolf.

Bang for the buck

It is a relatively in expensive college, but provides a lot of great research opportunities and challenging classes.

What to do for fun

For fun, there are always student run activities on the weekends, the attendance at sports games such as lacrosse, football, and basketball is growing, and the sports are improving, so those are always something fun to go to. There are a couple places around campus you can go to, but the nightlife does need some improvement.

Food and Dining

The foods is actually very good compared to other schools I have been to. They have a lot to offer and although the meat is questionable, it is improving. There are also always healthy options.

Dorm Life

Many of the dorms are being refurbished so the living standards are improving. Many students come from the city and commute back there on the weekends, but the social life is improving.

Academic Rigor

It depends on your major, anything in the math and science field is going to be very difficult where as the other majors do not require as much work.

Tips for prospective students

It is what you make of it, get involved the first year you are on campus in all kinds of different things. Find out something you like to do outside the classroom.

In three sentences

It a very good school for the money, because compared to many other schools it is generally inexpensive. Science and math classes are extremely difficult, but look good on your transcript if you do well. It is an up and coming university where they are doing a lot of work on the school to improve it visually and academically.

Maya

01/23/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

The SBU alert system sends students a text message whenever there are classes cancelled or something bad is happening on campus. There is a number students can call whenever in danger that will connect them with SBU police

Clubs and Activities

Everyone can find something for himself. There is a fair every Wednesday at the beginning of fall semester where all the clubs present themselves and distribute flayers,

Great for these types of students

Science, pre-med

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Roth Pond Regatta is a tradition where teams build their ships and race in the little pond located between two dorm buildings. Staller Center for Arts is where all the concerts, plays and movie projections take place.

What to do for fun

Take a walk around the town of Stony Brook or take the train to the city and have fun over there. You don't even have to leave the campus to have fun because the fun will come to you. There are concerts, drive in movies and so much more there is no space to write everything.

Food and Dining

Food is very good. There is a wide variety and many cafeterias on campus. I love sushi and salad bars.

Dorm Life

There is a lot of activities and events. Staller center for concerts and movies (many free events). I am a commuter so I can't say much about living on campus.

Academic Rigor

SBU is a very good and competitive school.

Tips for prospective students

Study hard and visit help centers if you have any problems and questions. Be very careful when registering for math classes - find a good, english speaking professor.

In three sentences

SBU is famous for its research and science majors. It's located near Brookhaven National Lab. SBU offers a great study abroad program.

Christian from Elmhurst, NY

Has their own staff, campus police, and everyone look up for one another.

Greek Life

Not in the Greek Life, but they are all worth looking into.

Clubs and Activities

Choose from more than 100 clubs and tons of weekly activities.

Great for these types of students

Be proactive!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

You all need to eat at Jasmine more than eating anywhere else. It's worth the buck.

Bang for the buck

SUNY school that's so much better than private in financial point of view, academic excellence, and opportunities.

What to do for fun

Activities! There are tons every week!

Food and Dining

Healthy and unhealthy options are available depending on preference!

Dorm Life

Full of activities.

Academic Rigor

Hard classes, but what do we expect from a good university?

Tips for prospective students

Ask around if you need, people in Stony Brook are extremely friendly and you will always be welcomed everywhere on campus.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University provided various selection of major with extremely qualified teachers. The community feels more like a family and welcomes the students no matter who they are. Almost everything is provided in college and students' needs are fulfilled without having to go out of campus.

Anonymous

If you are a New York State resident tuition costs about $6,000 per year, which is really good.

Food and Dining

I only ate on campus a handful of times, but what I had was pretty good. There is a Starbucks in the Student Union.

Dorm Life

I lived at home and commuted to school, but my friends in the dorms seemed pretty happy with their rooms.

Academic Rigor

A lot of work, but it is worth it. Math and science classes are very fast-paced, so if math and science is not your strongest subject try to take easier classes. (Example- don't do what I did and take Chemistry for an elective.) Social sciences, humanities and English/literature classes usually do a lot of reading and writing.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you get to know your professors, and take advantage of their office hours/ review sessions, it will help. Also, when a professor says to do the readings before class, make sure you do the readings before class. Science and math classes are extremely difficult so if you find yourself starting to need help make sure you find help ASAP!

In three sentences

Overall, it's an excellent school. It takes some getting used to, and the bus system is not so great-especially for commuters. But, it's a nice campus and they provide many opportunities (study abroad, career center etc.)

Lots of clubs and activities from pre-law society to Dumbledore's army

Food and Dining

The foods vary from asian cuisine to indian to mexican. There's something for everyone.

Dorm Life

Nice people and very diverse but if something goes wrong with the pipes or the couch, you're on your own.

Academic Rigor

One thing to do here is stay on your toes because the teachers are dedicated and they expect you to be too.

Tips for prospective students

Do as many extracurriculars as you can and work hard or you'll fall behind.

In three sentences

The University is cultured- students from all over the world study here and I'm proud to be one of them. The facilities are near state-of-the-art and the teachers are dedicated. This school is not for the unfocused but the determined.

Sarah from Bayside, NY

The campus is very safe. There is always a police car on campus to ensure the student's safety.

Clubs and Activities

Stony Brook has more than 100 clubs to join. All you have to do is sign up and your part of the club/activity.

Great for these types of students

The university is great for those who wish to do pre-med or engineering.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The campus has a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and a Wendy's. These three stores are always packed because of their popularity.

Bang for the buck

Unlike other universities, Stony Brook is not as expensive. With all the facilities it offers, it is an amazing State University that offers affordable and good education for all students.

What to do for fun

You can join clubs at Stony Brook. The University has many clubs including the archery club, swim team, pre-med society, and many many more.

Food and Dining

The food and dining is really good. The campus has food from all over the world including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Indian and many more types of cuisine.

Dorm Life

The dorm life is very nice. The people are very friendly and you can have a lot of fun as well.

Academic Rigor

The classes at Stony Brook are not easy. However, if one puts in a lot of effort, attends the lectures and does practice questions, then they can succeed in doing well.

Tips for prospective students

For prospective students, if you wish to come to Stony Brook, you should definitely go to academic advising when planning what courses to take. They are very helpful.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is a well recognized university for students considering pre-medicine and engineering. It has a very helpful staff who are willing to go out of their way to help each student. The professors are also very nice and teach well.

Parandis from Tuckahoe, NY

01/08/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

I have never even once worried about my safety when walking around on campus, even when walking to my dorm alone at 2 or 3 a.m. There's a campus police that with very responsive and professional staff who truly care about their students' welfare. The one thing youâ??ll never have to worry about at Stony Brook is your safety. Just practice common sense, like locking your dorm door when youâ??re not there, and youâ??ll be just fine.

Greek Life

There are plenty of sororities and fraternities on-campus that students can join. I don't know much about them as I have never joined one, but I know that they're pretty active on campus.

Clubs and Activities

There are over 9000 clubs on campus (actually, only about 300), so chances are there is something you like and would want to do. You could also always create your OWN club, which is pretty snazzy. You can go the Activities Fair during the fall, where representatives from every club on campus are there to tell you about their activities/events.

Great for these types of students

If you want a career in science/science-related field, Stony Brook is the place for you!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There's a Strawberry Festival every spring where you can buy as many strawberry-related things as you want (jams, pies, cakes, fresh strawberries, etc.) for only $5-$6! Everyone looks forward to this event in April/May.

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook is a very good school AND it's pretty affordable (compared to private schools). Not only that, but they're also VERY generous with scholarships and financial aid to deserving students (Valedictorians, Salutatorians, Intel winners, etc.). Also, if you're in the Honors College, you automatically get some kind of merit scholarship assistance!).

What to do for fun

There is always some kind of academic, cultural, or club event happening on campus, so it's hard to be bored at SB! You can make use of the wonderful, newly-built Recreation Center by the Union (has a gym, badminton/basketball courts, weight-room, etc.). You can also jog or just walk around on campus because it's huge and very green. The residential buildings on campus are also very friendly and there are always things going on right in your dorm/building/quad.

Food and Dining

The food can be repetitive. The dining here is pretty mediocre, but then again it IS college food. And it's probably good compared to the food at other universities! There's Mexican, pizza, salad bars, burgers, pasta, sushi, Jasmine, and the Kelly cafe. Jasmine (Americanized Asian food) at the Wang Center is by far the best place to eat. There's also a Dunkin' Donuts and Wendy's on campus. They're going to open up a Red Mango at Roth, which is also wonderful! Overall the food here isn't too bad. 3.5 stars overall.

Dorm Life

I've lived in Tabler Quad and I simply cannot put into words how much I LOVE my roommate, suite mates, RAs, and building. Everyone is so friendly and genuinely caring towards one another! It's like being in a cute little village while at the same time you're on this huge, diverse campus. It doesn't get much better than this, folks!

Academic Rigor

The academics here are pretty intense, especially as you take higher classes/honors courses. If you want to tackle the higher and especially honors courses from the start (freshman year), you better make sure you have had rigorous training in high school! The science and math courses are especially vigorous. Even the honors chem LAB class was vigorous! If you have an evil TA for 8:30 a.m. chem lab (like I did), you are in for quite a treat. But if you manage your time and make use of the resources on campus (free tutors, quiet study rooms in building, quiet areas of library, office hours, etc.) you will certainly be successful.

Tips for prospective students

The introductory classes are large and can be intimidating, especially if you come from a small high school. If you're a high achieving student, definitely apply for the Honors College/WISE programs. If you're interested in Pre-med or Pre-dental careers, also apply for those programs (if you get in, you're guaranteed a spot in the Stony Brook Medical/Dental School!).

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a big research school that still maintains both a strong sense community and school pride. There's ALWAYS something happening on campus, regardless of SB's reputation as a big commuter school. There is plenty to see, explore, and do, and on top of it all: the academic programs are top-notch!

Destinee from Little Neck, NY

It is on campus but they aren't that big. They throw great parties though.

Clubs and Activities

Over 300 clubs you will definitely find something you like.

Great for these types of students

Open minded people, who like big colleges.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

On fridays we wear red. And if you live in Langmuir College, when you lose a game with 0 points you get a naked lap, though no one really run them.

What to do for fun

There isn't much off campus so most of your fun wil be on campus. They just opened a new recreation center which is REALLY nice.

Food and Dining

The food is alright. If you get tired of it go out to eat like twice and you can deal with it again.

Dorm Life

So much fun to be had while dorming at SBU.

Academic Rigor

All professors are great. SBU is top 100 in the nation.

Tips for prospective students

Take your classes seriously in High School & college, The professors here are over qualified so you don't want to be left hanging during discussions. Dorm if you can it's so worth it. Choose corridor style (you meet more people) and try not to dorm with someone you already know.

In three sentences

I love the campus. The people are very diverse, open minded, and nice. The food isn't great but it'll do!

Anonymous

There's the RSP network, wonderful people who will come and walk you back if you're further than you planned from your room.

Greek Life

You definitely get to meet a lot of people and manage partying along with schoolwork. Just might be a lot of drinking and partying and also meeting the sisters/brothers you would stick with for your entire 4 year college life.

Clubs and Activities

Definitely check out extracurriculars. I enjoyed being in several, in particular, PUSO (Phillipines United Student Organization), Photography Club, China Blue, and such. Make sure you are a member of the clubs you are interested in on Facebook, they should be providing you with updates and you can always join in. Clubs are in a way your sense of community with the rest of campus.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Lots of forest trails in the woods on campus, I know some people who live in mendelsohn like to go for a 7-Eleven Run. There's also the delicious Se-port Deli place which would blow your mind--just make sure to bring cash.

What to do for fun

Get a car so you can go around. There's not much to do on campus on the weekends.

Food and Dining

Food gets bland after first couple of weeks. Should brush up on cooking skills!

Dorm Life

Dorm life is decent, just don't expect the heaters to be on when it's cold (exception of West and the new buildings--Yang and Lauterbaur).

Academic Rigor

Depending on what classes/what you are interested in, some students excel with hard work, others have a talent in the field, while there are those that are lost.

Tips for prospective students

Definitely see if you can stay on campus for a night or two to see how you like the college.

In three sentences

A good experience. It could have be worse. You have to experience it to find out what you think of it.

Ruth from Baldwin, NY

For a student paying in-state tuition, this school is a great value. A real college experience for a price less than a private university.

What to do for fun

There are numerous student clubs and organizations that host events on and off campus. There are also events thrown by the division of student life, such as concerts and carnivals that also provide some fun on campus.

Food and Dining

While there are some great places to eat, one can't help but wish for a greater variety of food options on campus.

Dorm Life

While the dorms do not look like a five star hotel, the campus residences staff does a great job in making sure that the students are comfortable.

Academic Rigor

The majority of the classes offered have an intense curriculum. While this may not be enjoyable when taking the class you take away great knowledge.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is wonderful place to learn. Both faculty and students take great pride in their work. In addition to academics, student life is also another great part of the school.

Joseph from Pearl River, NY

There is a police station ON campus, and safe phones just in case that determines your precise location. The police are very helpful and do anything and everything to ensure a safe campus.

Greek Life

There are so many diverse fraternities and sororities throughout campus, there is surely something for everyone.

Clubs and Activities

There are 350 clubs and organizations on campus. My personal favorite is the Harry Potter club. I've made some of the best friends in that club and our friendship will last a lifetime.

Great for these types of students

Any and all.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

As said before, the bamboo forest and Avalon Park and Preserve off campus.

Bang for the buck

I'm a NY resident and it's definitely worth the money. The school itself is a very well recognized school for a tuition that is very reasonable. Not to mention you are eligible to use a cooking dorm if needed (i.e. vegetarian, vegan, gluten diet) which I recommend and it saves a lot of money. Mind you, unless there is a reason you need to have a cooking dorm in your freshman year, this option is only for Sophmores and above.

What to do for fun

There are a wide array of activities to do while at Stony Brook, ranging from the Running Club to the Harry Potter Club. There are activities every Wednesday during Campus Lifetime at noon, and there are 350 clubs/organizations. You honestly can't go wrong. There's also a bamboo forest on the West side of campus and off campus there is a beautiful nature park and preserve with beautiful trails.

Food and Dining

I might be biased, but Stony Brook was a lot better tasting food than other campuses I've visited. There's a whole food court dedicated to Asian culture and it's absolutely delicious. There are five food courts to eat on campus, including Wendy's and two Starbucks! There are also salad bars and other great vegetarian options!

Dorm Life

Dorm life is up to my own standards, but if you're looking for a party school, then Stony Brook might not be the best choice. The RA's are extremely helpful though if you have any issues with rooms and roommates. Work orders can be a pain if there is something wrong with the room, but generally dorm life is 50/50. It's honestly what you make of it!

Academic Rigor

The classes are somewhat challenging, but it's nothing students can't handle. There might be a lot of hard-work, but it pays off in the end. No matter what, there are always resources available for students in need of help and every service is within reach.

Tips for prospective students

Upon entering Stony Brook University it is highly encouraged that you get involved! I cannot stress this enough! The school has so much to offer and there campus itself brings forth a showcase that illustrates diverse cultures, especially that of Asian American. The professors do care and want to see you put in effort by talking to them outside of class. Stony Brook is like it's own little town and I am loving every minute of being there.

In three sentences

A great university with a wide range of diverse classes, along with faculty and students. Stony Brook University is a school where there's something for everybody and friends last forever. It's also encouraged that students be who they want to be and speak their mind without having to fear being judged by others.

Moises from Merrick, NY

12/29/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Campus safety at SBU is always improving. The Stony Brook mobile website has an immediate link to campus alerts, and contacts like the university police, environment health and safety, etc. There is also an escorted walk service on campus (number provided in the website and through e-mail) which students usually use when they are getting around campus late at night. Students (RSP employees) or police officers will personally go to your location and escort you to your destination. Students receive e-mails or texts when there is an incident with a student in which safety was at risk. Late at night, it is best to walk around with at least one other person; but if you are just taking a breather, be alert!

Clubs and Activities

There are over 300 clubs and activities at SBU, and which one you are a part of depends on what kind of student you are. If you score a 3.5 or higher GPA during your freshman or sophomore years, you have the chance of joining the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, a national honor society for academically talented students. There are even regular meetings for groups of students like these at SBU! They are all excellent community service and networking opportunities that can go on a resume, which you will increasingly need. There are many gyms to work out in. If you are a resident student, there are residential gyms. Any other type of student can work out in gyms like one on the 3rd floor of the Student Activities Center, or the newly built Campus Recreation Center in front of the Chemistry building. There is also a track and space for many activities in the Sports Complex. Some clubs, to name a few: Community Service Club, Student African-American Brotherhood (anyone can join), Cadence Step Team, Ciao Italian Club, and Quidditch Club. There are also sports activities that anyone can join. Currently the university's pool is unavailable, so do not plan for an aquatic activity here!

Great for these types of students

Stony Brook is an ideal school for science, math, and engineering students. Biology is one of the most popular majors, and a hoard of students are on the pre-med track (pre-med is not a major at SBU). However, do not be afraid to choose a major outside of these fields! There are excellent opportunities and academics no matter which course of study you pick. I am a junior already, and I'm probably switching from a Biology major to Social Work soon!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

One tradition at Stony Brook is the Roth Regatta, which is a float race in the Roth Pond in the middle of every spring semester. The floats are built by students and even professors, which makes the race funny and exciting. Hundreds of students gather around to watch. Another tradition is to wear red every Friday. I particularly like this one because it makes me proud to be a Seawolf! Many students can be seen wearing their What's a Seawolf? I'm a Seawolf! red T-shirts every week, which come in many languages. Even professors remember to wear red on Fridays! * One unusual location is the bamboo forest behind the West Apartments. Almost no students can be seen around there, and sometimes deer can be spotted!

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook is much more affordable than a private institution. I was offered a presidential scholarship at a private university, and even that was more expensive than attending Stony Brook! The education students are capable of receiving, if they tailor it right, a valuable education. There are many financial aid options students can apply for to help them pay for tuition and other academic expenses, such as grants, loans, and work-study.

What to do for fun

Stony Brook, as any other college, is completely what you make of it. Become involved in one or more of the circa 300 clubs and activities in your spare time; any type of student will find a fitting one. You should especially apply for a leadership activity like the L.E.A.D. (Leadership Exploration and Development) and G.O.L.D. (Growth Opportunities in Leadership Development) programs and everything else will be more fun!

Food and Dining

Stony Brook offers foods including: pizza, grilled foods, Asian foods, and some other selections. There is also a Wendy's and a new upcoming Red Mango. Vegetarians might not find a satisfactory amount of food choices. If you are a resident student, I recommend choosing a Silver or Gold meal plan rather than the Bronze, since the money is spent much quicker than expected. The Platinum plan is unnecessary and almost double the price of a normal plan. Many students choose to cook their own food (some residences, such as Gershwin in Roth Quad, house cooking suites with a kitchen shared within each suite). If you live in one of these suites or the West Apartments, you do not have to purchase a meal plan.

Dorm Life

I can only contribute a limited amount of information about dorm life because I was a resident student for just two years, or four semesters. At Stony Brook there are suite-style or corridor style rooms. In a suite, you are sharing a bathroom and small living room with about 5 or 6 students. In a corridor, there can be over 20 students sharing a large bathroom in a hallway, but the rooms are a bit larger. Notice that 2 or 3 students can fit in one room, in any of these two living styles. Sharing a room with a stranger can be, well, a strange experience, so do not be surprised to get stressed out from it sometimes. Do communicate with your roommate, because some students end up becoming very good friends. If there are issues, make sure to let them know, or contact a Resident Assistant. Do not be afraid to have fun! There are single rooms for students who prefer it, but they are more expensive. Lastly, I recommend using the Melville library stacks to find a good study spot (2nd and 4th floors are not deathly quiet like the 3rd floor, and barely anyone uses them!) and using the dorms for relaxing or any other activity you choose. Even though some dorms like those in H-Quad are 24 Hour quiet buildings, some students complain it is still difficult to concentrate in them. There are some less-known study spots like the Staller Center's second floor and the Social and Behavioral Science building, which has 7 floors. It depends on your study preference; if you don't mind some chatting and food around you while studying, the Stony Brook Union's second floor is a good spot to plug in your computer and snack while studying. Good luck!

Academic Rigor

Be prepared to study quite a lot for any class at SBU. Whether you are an art, music, science, or any major, you must put in a responsible amount of work to earn a worthy grade, because teachers can be unexpectedly difficult graders. Being consistent with your homework and classwork, and getting help whenever you need it, will undoubtedly earn you a B or above!

Tips for prospective students

The best way to succeed at SBU is to at least get your foot in the door with campus leaders, professors, and student leaders, and of course by talking to as many fellow classmates as possible. As I said, Stony Brook is a large research institution, which also means classes can be very impersonal and make some students feel excluded. The obvious way out of this is by being unafraid to succeed! Making more friends, meeting more teachers and participating in more activities will only advance your college career and help you make sure you are completing a degree that is fitting for you.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is a large suburban public research institution (+20,000 main campus students, mostly commuters) ideal for math, science, and engineering students, but with a wide selection of majors for any kind of student. In fact, there are different departments dedicated to helping students from all majors to succeed, such as arts and sciences, journalism, and social welfare, among many. The diversity at this school, in terms of students' cultural background and its academic and professional opportunities, is seemingly endless.

Roger from Yonkers, NY

There are over 30+ fraternities and sororities on campus, you'll find a family while at Stony Brook. Whether in one of these or in another organization.

Clubs and Activities

Like mentioned earlier there are over 300+ clubs that cater everyone especially since you can make your own.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Every year in the spring there is the Roth Regatta, where students and faculty build boats out of cardboard and duck tape and race them across the Roth Quad pond. Every semester before finals week there is midnight breakfast, free food served at midnight to kick off and fuel students that are studying for finals. There is the Festival of Lights , which is Stony Brooks way of bring everyone together for the holiday season.

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook is a tremendous bang for your buck, a public university that it ranked in the top 100 national universities and is in the top 40 for public universities. There are a lot of opportunities to gain experience in your future career and it is encouraged. All STEM related programs are ranked highly at Stony Brook. All available at public school price.

What to do for fun

There are always events or shows going on a Stony, I would dare say there is one every day. With the Staller Center there are live plays and performances. Movies are also played there, the center has the second largest screen in New York! Students also have shows to participate in or watch like the annual fashion shows that go on. The Greek Life on campus are always having programs that are interesting and relevant. If none of these appeal, there are over 300 clubs to join with the ability to make your own!

Food and Dining

There is a wide variety of food with a penchant for Asian foods. There are 6 dining centers that feature places like Starbucks, Dunkin Dounts, and in the future Red Mango. Currently construction is going on to even further the options like fresh BBQ! At Stony there really is a food place that everyone will enjoy.

Dorm Life

Dorm Life varies per quad. The two predominate styles are suite and corridor style. Suites have 3-4 rooms that share a bathroom and a living room. Corridor are just many rooms in a hall that share a bathroom. They are both offered in double or single room options. Freshman students maybe tripled in a double room or an actual permanent triple room which is large! Its not terrible to be tripled but the school makes it worth it. Beds could be more comfortable but that could be said for any school. Personally, I like suites the most, it has a home like feel and it makes it easy to have friends over since you have couches.

Academic Rigor

Schooling is tough especially if you are in a science or technology field of study. Stony brook is very heavy in the STEM fields and teacher can make it extremely challenging sometimes. But, you will learn a lot about your major and it comes out to be worth it.

Tips for prospective students

Bring home seasonings for food and a big thick mattress pad!

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a very diverse and large school. You'll meet many people from different walks of life and a variety of majors only diversify it even more. There are plenty of research/internship opportunities and other opportunities to grow professionally.

Ashley from Brooklyn, NY

12/26/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Resident Safety Program- or RSP, is run by students and campus police and they sit at the front desk of every residence building from 11pm to 3 am to make sure students entering the dorm building are only the student who live there.

Clubs and Activities

Over 300!

Bang for the buck

Cheap tuition and quality education especially for New Yorkers

What to do for fun

Over 300 clubs & organizations, hall council, greek life, and the quad you live in you choose based on common interest such as arts or leadership. So you'll be surrounded by people that you'll already have common traits.

Food and Dining

I don't have a meal plan because I live in a cooking suite, but they food is always well cooked, lots or variety, and they have themes throughout the dining centers correlated with popular events on long island that makes the options interesting.

Dorm Life

Great community of students and very kind campus resident staff that are willing to help you.

Academic Rigor

Classes will be tough no matter where you go to college, classes are tough but doable. All the work absolutely pays off in networking through professors for internships and recommendations.

Tips for prospective students

If you're willing to come to a large school, know that though it may seem hard, a professor of a 500 student lecture is just as approachable as the one in your 25 student recitation.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a fantastic school academically. It is located close to NY city but far enough to have the comfort of a community on campus. Everything about this school is diverse from it's majors to it's students.

Katherine from Middle Island, NY

Roth Regatta! Clubs and groups build boats of cardboard and duct tape and race is across Roth pond

What to do for fun

There are tons of clubs and events going on all the time

Food and Dining

There is a lot of different type of food on campus but it can get tiring. Thankfully there are many different restaurants located around ca,pus

Dorm Life

The rooms are a little small. Only a few have a/c.

Academic Rigor

The classes aren't too rigorous but if you want to stay on top then you should definitely study at least once a week for your main classes.

Tips for prospective students

Don't get scared by large lecture classes - teachers will still take the time to answer questions. The school may look large, but there are buses that go to all the major parts of campus

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is an amazing school. It has a large level of diversity and the community is incredibly inviting. The teachers are there for the students and are always available to answer questions.

Sally from Brookhaven, NY

OUTSTANDING new rec center. Definitely a huge plus. As a commuter with a family to support, I did not spend much time on campus for fun.

Food and Dining

There is outstanding variety offered. Many different ethnic foods are represented on campus. Prices seem inordinately high, however. I found it was cheaper to bring food from home.

Dorm Life

I have only ever been a commuter, so I do not have an informed opinion. As such, I have rated this a 3, middle of the road.

Academic Rigor

Depending on the major and program you choose, there is certainly a different level of rigor. That said, in general Stony Brook demands and rewards excellence. This is as challenging and intense as top rated private institutions, but with the accessibility of a state university.

Tips for prospective students

Seek assistance as soon as you recognize that you may need it, be it academic, career counseling, social adjustment, or otherwise; the resources are there if you seek them out! Get involved- participate in things outside your comfort zone as well as in your specific realm of interest or study. Take advantage of office hours- work to be more than an ID number in a sea of faces in your classes. Make the most of your time- this is a top notch education at a state rate, and it truly is the deal of a lifetime.

In three sentences

Stony Brook provides an education for the future, preparing students for an ever changing world and job market. The diverse student body and faculty ensures well-rounded educational and social learning experiences. Cutting edge research and technology advancements on campus make for an exciting and fast paced academic climate.

Lea from Carlisle, PA

11/06/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Food and Dining

Prices are high because SBU is on Long Island. The food is mostly good quality but the lines can be long for the best choices. Healthy options are also hard to come by some days. Even if you get tired of the food on campus, there are numerous restaurants very close to venture to with friends.

Dorm Life

The dorms are different around campus because some are more new than others. The residents in each building are close so every building has something going on each night, from showing a movie or playing a game to making pancakes at 1 am.

Academic Rigor

The classes are challenging and fun. The only downfall is the amount of foreign professors teaching the classes, making it difficult soemtimes to fully comprehend the work or topic.

Tips for prospective students

While there are numerous campus acitivities and clubs available, classes are the most important part of college. Go to each and every class, take notes in a way that is beneficial to you, study those notes, ask for help, and do the homework. It's a whole new world, quite different from high school so find a place during the first few weeks where you can go to study and ace that midterm or final.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is brimming with spirit, intellect, and love. From football games to serving the community to watching a performance on the Staller Center for the Arts steps, SBU students give it their all and make everyone weel at home. This university is also perfect for any intelligent student, ranking among the top 1% of the nation with the most affordable tuition rates available.

Jennie from East Setauket, NY

11/05/2012

Reviewer is A past student here.

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Campus Safety

Because it is such a big school and there are lots of wooded areas, there were a few incidents on campus and even a few deaths while I was there. I would caution everyone to be careful and not walk alone at night or with someone you just met at a party. I personally had a few close calls just by hanging out with a wilder crowd on occasion. Just be wise and remember if you are drunk your not going to make the best judgement calls and if others are drunk with you they might not be able to help you, so plan ahead on how you will get home from late night parties and study groups.

Greek Life

They have many sororities and fraternities, I did not get involved with them but they were popular.

Clubs and Activities

I was on the cheer-leading team and president of a religious scripture study class, and there many other clubs I would have joined if I had the time. They allow student to even create their own clubs if they can gain enough interest among a few other students. They accommodate the clubs with some funding money, TV advertisements and rooms for their meetings if needed.

Great for these types of students

Intelligent, hard working, outgoing and sharp minded. It is also great if you like to party but can get good grades without studying much.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The have a card board boat race every spring. It is hilarious. You make a team of people and build a boat only using card board and duck tape, then the whole team gets in the boat and tries to paddle from one side of a duck pond to the other. (The duck pond is pretty gross, so no one wants to fall in the water, but almost everyone fails). They also, every fall have something called Wolfstock (the school mascot is a Sea-Wolf). During Wolfstock the get everyone excited for the football and other sports games of the season (it is kind of like a HS homecoming/pep-rally) and they have parties, parades and other events; it boosts school spirit.

Bang for the buck

It was very affordable especially compared to what my some of my friends paid for their educations, but like anyone else, I would be happier if they made it a little cheaper still.

What to do for fun

They have lots of club events--like the rowing team that would get up really early in the morning and row on the beach. They have choirs that practice in the evenings, and a ballroom dance club that provides excellent instructions. They also have student activity time on Wednesdays where classes are not scheduled so you can find out more about the various clubs. Generally Thursday nights through the weekend it's party time where people get drunk out of their minds--that was not my thing, so I stuck more with the clubs. There is also a bus that takes students to the Smithaven Mall (about 10 minutes away)--it is a huge mall, if you like shopping. Pretty much, whatever your thing is, you can find a group like you at Stony Brook.

Food and Dining

The food was ridiculously expensive, but the food in the SAC building was pretty good, and I think they have recently added some new food options around campus.

Dorm Life

I lived off campus and commuted so I can't comment too much, but I know from my friends that some of the dorms where dirty and they had very limited food for late night snacks. They were working on both of these issues when I graduated, so it could be much better now.

Academic Rigor

This school's science and math requirements are hard core, brace yourself for a lot of long nights studying.

Tips for prospective students

This school is very big, so it can feel overwhelming at times, but it is very affordable and its not too far from NYC. If you start feeling lonely or it is hard for you to make new friends, definitely look into the plethora of clubs and teams the school has and join something--this will bond you to people and ease the days. Also I don't recommend taking too many math science class or more than one lab class in the same semester because these classes call for enormous amounts of study. Mix your intense classes up with some fun ones.

In three sentences

This school has lot of activities going on all of the time. The pre-med classes (science and math classes) are very intense. The school expects hard work and maturity from its students.

Atifur from Ozone Park, NY

10/25/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

There has never been an incident in the past two years. The roads are safe and properly controlled by speed limit postings and plenty of stop signs. If you feel uncomfortable traveling alone at night, you can call the campus police to escort you to a destination.

Greek Life

I haven't been part of any fraternities but they seem to interesting. To able to live in a house with 10-15 other people who will become very close with you would be a fantastic experience.

Clubs and Activities

I was surprised to find a club for about every activity. Many of them are unique in that they specialize in something you have never heard of. There are also sport clubs that actively compete in tournaments and competition. A great way to meet friends and become involved.

Great for these types of students

This school is great for students who have not received much financial aid from other schools but still want a high class education. Students that love activities and fun on the weekdays would also love the campus. If you are one who loves peace and quiet on the weekends, you will love the calming weekends.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are no unusual traditions on campus but there are plenty of buildings for you to discover. I have spent about 2 years here and here are still places that are unfamiliar to me. You'll find that many buildings are unique in their own way. The other day, I found a waterfall behind the mathematics building!

Bang for the buck

Possibly the cheapest colleges around. There are better colleges and cheaper colleges but no other school can compare to Stony's education for the price that they demand. 15 credit courses can average around 3000-4000 dollars. For a school this cheap you would expect cheap education. Fortunately, that is wrong. This school provides you with an amazing education. Even if you are an out of state resident, you'll find that Stony Brook will still be cheaper than your other colleges.

What to do for fun

There is a new recreation center that opened up on campus. It has 3 floors of workout equipment and has 2 basketball courts and a volleyball court. You will always find students playing there!

Food and Dining

Unfortunately, after staying on campus for a while you'll realize that there is not much food variety. There is small fast food section on campus but even that can get tiring after a while. Your best bet is to make friends with a commuter and go out every once in a while.

Dorm Life

All of the dorm houses are unique in their own way. Some are better than others in terms of location but in terms of size and space, there are all the same. You have the option of rooming with one other person or living in a suite with 4 other students. You can request to dorm with a friend or stay in the same room if you choose.

Academic Rigor

Most professors are excited to teach you the subjects they specialize in. However, you will meet professors you don't like. But they come once every often. Nonetheless, most of your professors will be ones you are satisfied with.

Tips for prospective students

Stony Brook has amazing science departments. There is always something to study and professors that are more than willing to teach you. For those interested in taking the pre-med track, there is a hospital no more than 5-10 minutes away from the main campus. A great place to volunteer and prepare you for your years in medical school.

In three sentences

When I first entered campus, I was scared to accept this new life but it really wasn't so bad. You'll see a friend at every building, your professors walking to class, the numerous events in the middle of campus and friendly people wherever you go. The weekends may be quiet but you need a break from the fun filled weekdays.

Nicholas from Danbury, CT

Lots of sports clubs and intramural sports! Like I said, Quidditch and HVZ!

Great for these types of students

-Science based!!!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

-Roth Pond is radioactive -there's a spaceship where people like to do it in -Humans Versus Zombies is the most organized club I've ever been a part of -FOOTBALL REDZONES!!

Bang for the buck

Being out of state it's very expensive, but so is every school so I wont bore you with garbage you already know. In state its probably the best bargain out there!

What to do for fun

Quidditch! We have a nationally ranked quidditch team which made the top 40 in the world last year!! Also our football games are insanely fun to go to!

Food and Dining

This is my one true anger about this school, they KILL you with spending on meal plans. On the one I'm on it is literally impossible to stay on budget while eating 2 meals a day! (1.5 is the only way to do it)

Dorm Life

Could be better, could be a hell of a lot worse!

Academic Rigor

see above!

Tips for prospective students

-Live on campus (commuting is a bore and a half, you won't ever get the 'college experience' -read the textbook: it sounds easy but the draw of playing video games is much more intense -go to lectures, also if you can't wake up before 10 (I know I can't) don't take classes before 10 unless it's impossible to avoid it

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a very challenging school for anyone interested in science or competing for a spot in a medical school down the road. They imply a 'teach it yourself' attitude so you really need to focus on learning the information on your own time. That being said I've met incredible people here and wouldn't trade my experiences here for anything!

There are soo many different type of people that go to SBU. Meeting new people and learning new things is what college is about, SBU is soo culturally diverse you are sure to meet new and interesting people.

What to do for fun

There are tons of things to do from the games (GO SEAWOLVES), to plays, to art exhibits, movie drive-ins, there is always something going on at SBU. Local clubs also do college night so that you can shake the stress away from a stressful school week.

Food and Dining

The food court is almost always open with a number of things to choose from and there is always a place where you can pop a squat and enjoy whatever it is that you are dining on.

Dorm Life

I wish I was fortunate enough to experience the actual dorm life. I have been to my friends dorms and it definitley completes the college life experience.

Academic Rigor

Teachers are reasonable. The work is challenging, but when you finally figure it out the feeling is very rewarding.

Tips for prospective students

If you can live in the dorms for the full college experience. Great variety of classes to choose from, so that you can earn your degree learning about things that interest you.

In three sentences

I really love all of the professors and school atmosphere. I wish they had more night classes available. I always feel really proud when people ask me where I go to school.

Alexa from Prospect, CT

There are some areas that could be lit better, but we have a walking program set up at night where students will escort you anywhere on campus if you feel unsafe. It's completely free and worth it.

Greek Life

Love it! It's pretty small, so you really get to know everyone.

Clubs and Activities

Stony Brook has over 300 clubs and organizations. It's so easy to get involved and actually enjoy what you're doing! Funding is relatively simple to put on programs or host activities and I love the amount of people I know because of my involvement on campus.

Great for these types of students

Easy going, but driven students.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

We have the midnight scream during finals week. It's really funny because the entire campus gets to relieve some stress at the same time!

Bang for the buck

As an out-of-state student, I feel that Stony Brook is completely affordable compared to other institutions of the equal academic standing.

What to do for fun

Like I said, Stony Brook is what you make of it. I got involved in my residence hall, at the campus newspaper and in greek life. I absolutely love it! There are so many Seawolf fans that come out to games and there's always some kind of program going on.

Food and Dining

I think FSA does a great job with campus dining. There are so many options on campus (Wendy's, Red Mango, Starbucks) and the faculty continues to meet with students and staff members to improve the system, prices, choices, etc.

Dorm Life

Stony Brook is in the middle of improving their dorm life. Some residence halls are nicer than others, but there is a list of renovations that's supposed to be completed within the next couple summers. The majority of halls are not air conditioned, but it's only really warm in the beginning of the fall and end of the spring.

Academic Rigor

I think classes at Stony Brook are challenging. Our professors expect quality work and this helps prepare students for internships and careers.

Tips for prospective students

Tour the entire campus. See all of the residence halls and not just the ones the campus tour guides take you to. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Get used to construction.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is what you make of it. I got involved in multiple clubs and organizations on campus and had a blast! Even though some students go home on weekends, it's easy to make friends and find people to click with.

Pias from Bronx, NY

08/15/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Campus is pretty safe overall. Nothing major. Once a year there will be a lost/stolen laptop, but if your careful and do not leave your belongings laying around without someone to look after it, then the blame is on you.

Greek Life

Tons of Greek life on campus and they always have events.

Clubs and Activities

Get involved in clubs they can be fun and you will most likely learn something.

Bang for the buck

If your going off campus for activities except to pay!

What to do for fun

From pool, to bowling, to inter-mural sports and dances and film showings, there is never a reason to be bored (except probably finals week).

Food and Dining

Stony Brook has a variety of Food and dining places. The portions are decent.

Dorm Life

Again you have to make the most out of college. There is always something to do on campus. As long as you have a good group of friends you'll never get bored.

Academic Rigor

There are always easy classes. However, the interesting classes will always have the most work.

Tips for prospective students

Stay focused and motivated on your goal.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is a college to never forget. There is always something to do; whether this pertains to work or social life. This school offers students an opportunity to get a fantastic education (especially in the scientific and engineering fields) at an affordable price.

Amber from Pembroke, GA

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

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Campus Safety

I'm not aware of any serious incident to have taken place on campus. They do offer alerts over cell phonto make sure everyone stays in the know.

Greek Life

The school does offer a few Greek sororities and fraternities.

Clubs and Activities

There is almost a club or activity fit for each student. You can never feel left out with all they have to offer and no two clubs are the same.

Great for these types of students

Stony Brook University is a great campus if you want that small community feel. If you appreciate the arts, the landscape and architecture will inspire you. It is a magnificent school to attend.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

An unusual tradition would have to be the annual Roth Pond Regatta. Students make their own boats, typically out of cardboard, and race on Roth pond located right beside Roth Dormitory. It is always a blast.

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook is known for it's low tuition. Just because it has low tuition does not mean the classes are mediocre. They have an outstanding staff, all professional in their own field.

What to do for fun

Stony Brook does it right. Students feel so comfortable surrounded by live music and the occasional theatre performances held on campus. Also, school spirit thrives on game days with everyone dressed in their red.

Food and Dining

The student body is very diverse. This makes the cuisine at Stony Brook diverse. Many cultures are represented at the campus. They also have many meal plans to work with any students budget. Most important to student life is coffee, and for student convenience there is a Starbucks right on campus.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is a special thing in the college experience. Stony Brook University has taken it to a whole new level. Each dormitory is assigned an undergraduate college. This means what ever your chosen major is you will be in a dorm where the other occupants have a similar major. This makes adjusting to college life so much easier. Your more likely to have classes with the people you share a room with making it a lot easier to study; when you have all that extra support surrounding you.

Academic Rigor

I chose this school for their academic rigor in the science and math department. This school is dedicated to get you ready for the future. I never want to feel as if I have learned all that I can. I want to always come away knowing something new and ready for more. I feel as if Stony Brook University can give this to me.

Tips for prospective students

Do not procrastinate. Not only do you need to make sure to get your application in on time; it is key that you have all your financials ready way before orientation. This ensures that if there are any unforeseen complications you will have plenty of time to fix them.

In three sentences

I give Stony Brook University a ten out of ten. I live nineteen hours away from campus, but the staff has been so kind and understanding that I already feel at home. With the care they have put into making sure my college experience is a breeze, even my mother is comfortable with me living so far away.

Sandy from Queens, NY

Joining clubs will keep you active and social and it's a great place to meet new people! Why not go and make friends with the people who you have things in common with?

Food and Dining

There are a few dining halls and depending on where you live, some may be closer to you than others. However, SAC (student activities center) and the Union are pretty accessible to all because classes are nearby. Meal points offer a small discount on food, and depending on what you like to eat, there are some great food choices. There is also a Starbucks there and who doesn't love Starbucks?

Dorm Life

Dorming is a great experience because you are away from home, and it can be a whole different experience. You feel a greater sense of independence because you are in charge of yourself, and you make your own decisions. It's also definitely more convenient because it's on campus and therefore you can walk to and from class, and be able to take an afternoon nap if necessary!

Academic Rigor

Some classes are definitely challenging, especially for students who aren't used to university classes. However, if you study, and find the right way to manage all your classes, then you should be able to do well.

Tips for prospective students

Come with an open mind because you will have the potential to meet a lot of new people, but if you don't put yourself out there, then it will be a lot harder. Join clubs and attend events because they will only make your college experience all the more fun.

In three sentences

It is a diverse university with people of many different personalities. Once you find people you can get along with and make friends, everyone can feel comfortable with what the school has to offer: the many libraries, the Staller Center, food courts, sports fields, and more.

Yoori from Hicksville, NY

There is a club for everyone. There is an anime club, the Quidditch team, intermediate tennis club, and the Robotics club.

Great for these types of students

Stony Brook is ideal for those interested in research and science. In addition, the school is great for those interested in Asian culture and those who like an active campus.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The Wang Center has a beautiful serene setting with a flowing river, fountains, bamboos, and an amazing interior design. Even the bathroom inside the center is decorated with stones and bamboos.

Bang for the buck

The tuition itself is not too bad, however there are various fees that add up.

What to do for fun

There are many festivals throughout the year such as the famous Strawberry festival. Many students like to sit on the Staller Steps and either take a nap or read a book. Also fitness centers, dance lessons, and gaming centers are available for students to use.

Food and Dining

There is a variety of foods to match each preference and tastes. There is Halal and Kosher foods available and a lot of Asian dishes for those who are homesick.

Dorm Life

The different floors and buildings were close with each other. With the RA events and hall council, the people in dorms were able to get to better know each other.

Academic Rigor

The classes, especially the science courses, are very difficult. There is a lot of work and if one slacks off for a day, the work will become daunting.

Tips for prospective students

Do not procrastinate and always stay on top of your work. Also do not be afraid to ask for help, it will help you a lot.

In three sentences

It is a fun college with lots of campus activities. The important part of this college is being active since there are so many clubs and activities to take part in. Yet, the college is challenging and definitely requires a lot of work to get a decent grade.

Ramey from Elmhurst, NY

07/28/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Comments

Campus Safety

The campus is very safe. My Iphone was stolen one day because I forgot to lock the door to my room but, the campus police caught the person who stole it the very next day. I can't thank them enough for their speedy action and speedy return of my lost property.

Clubs and Activities

There is a club for anything you want to do if you look hard enough. I joined the archery club and the go club which are both very fun and interesting. After all how often in your life will you be able to hold a bow and shoot targets several meters away.

Great for these types of students

It is great for people in NYC who want to get to have a taste of the dorm life but still be able to return to the city whenever they want to. It is also great for students interested in the sciences and social sciences.

Bang for the buck

In the end Stony Brook is a great campus that I would recommend to anyone looking for a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of a big city. You only have one college life it is always important to try something new.

What to do for fun

There are a lot of clubs and events on campus. Campus life is not complete without trying out various clubs and events and find what is truly fun for you. Make plans with your friends and take the free bus to the mall if you are bored.

Food and Dining

The food is frankly overpriced. It is simply not worth the amount you have to pay for it. If possible it is best to go to Costco to get cheaper food to save yourself money

Dorm Life

Stony Brook has a great dorm life. Even though most of the student go home for the weekend the remaining people play various games, watch movies, and hang out.

Academic Rigor

It is impossible to not study and get an A. It is only through studying and paying attention in class that you can get the grades you want. Be sure to search the teacher of your class on Ratemyteacher.com to know what you are in for.

Tips for prospective students

Try to avoid paying for loans and if possible avoid getting the meal plans by getting dorm in a cooking building. Making your own food may be troublesome but it saves a lot of money. By sharing the ingredients cost with your friends and taking turns cooking you can avoid losing money to taxes

In three sentences

Stony Brook has an incredibly beautiful campus with an atmosphere you just can not get in the city. Its peaceful and has plenty of clubs and activities to keep your campus life going. It is a great school for those looking to major in the sciences and psychology.

Julia from Middle Village, NY

Stony Brook University has its very own line of police and fire protection, as well as a student run ambulance program.

Greek Life

The Greek Life at Stony Brook thrives among our students that can be seen through the many events and fundraisers various fraternities and sororities hold throughout the school year.

Clubs and Activities

There are over 377 clubs and organizations at Stony Brook University. Also, we have a great athletic program and intrmural/club sports that students take advantage of to get involved.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

An unusual tradition at Stony Brook is the Roth Regatta. This is an event that takes place at the Roth Pond in Roth Quad (one of the residential halls) every spring towards the end of the semester where students build boats made of only cardboard, duct tape and paint and race across the pond to the finish line. It's a great opportunity for entertainment and an overall experience.

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook is cheap (when compared to other institutions) and worth every dollar invested because of the experience, opportunity and results Stony Brook University produces.

What to do for fun

With electricity running through campus life at Stony Brook, there is always something to do for fun. The many traditions and events present at the university never fail to give students the opportunity to do something. For example, Stony Brook has something called Campus Lifetime which takes place every Wednesday from 1 to 2 PM , and has the purpose in giving students the chance to get together and get involved in other organizations on campus.

Food and Dining

The variety of food and dining on Stony Brook's campus is tremendous. There is never a failed moment in finding something new and delicious to eat. Stony Brook makes it easy to eat with many cafeterias and dining halls around campus, and even have food options such as Halal and kosher.

Dorm Life

The dorm life at Stony Brook is active and very much well alive. As having the biggest residential population in all of the State Universities of New York, a great proportion of students at Stony Brook live on campus therefore, making residential and campus life popular.

Academic Rigor

Stony Brook University's academic rigor comes in the form of the high expectations it presses on its students, as a result of being a successful research university. As a Stony Brook University student, the expectations consist of the amount of dedication, discipline and motivation needed in order to be successful academically. The study habits and skills one gains as a result of being a Stony Brook student are incredible, and are a result of the academic rigor that comes from the university.

Tips for prospective students

The amount of opportunity present within the university is up for grabs for all of its students, but it's only up to the student to actually take advantage of it. Getting involved and taking advantage of all that the university offers is crucial in making the student's experience at Stony Brook all the more rich and worth it.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is a place of constant growth and development, and the perfect institution for students of dedication and intellectual interest. The immense amount of opportunity within the university is outstanding and forever growing. As an accredited research university, Stony Brook does not fail in creating involved citizens who find their greatness in what they do.

Honestly, There is not much to do for fun at storybook. Unless you have a whole lot of school spirit, you will find your self alone. I worked on the weekends and eventually began to work during the week just to keep myself from getting bored once I had finished with classes.

Food and Dining

Overpriced and inconsistent food quality. They try to bring new ideas to campus, but most of it is prohibitively expensive and not good for you.

Dorm Life

Very poor. The dorms are old and with the exception of the Nobel halls and the West apartments, they are pretty ugly as well.

Academic Rigor

Decently strong academics. However, the only degrees worth getting at stony brook are medical degrees. Don't torture yourself for a B.A. from Stony.

Tips for prospective students

Stony Brook is a pretty dreary place. There is construction all over campus and the dorms are old, outdated and ugly. I would only suggest this school if you are a commuter, because half of the 9,000 resident students go home on the weekends (verified fact from my previous RHD).

In three sentences

Stony Brook has moderately strong academics, however if you are anything but a Medical student, the school may not be the best choice for you. There is no real social life on campus and the campus itself is ugly. If you end up going here, try to make the best of it which is what I did even though I was depressed most of my time here.

Jenn from Astoria, NY

07/20/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
112 of 155

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

I love that there is a walk service. No matter where you are on campus, if you call them, two people will pick you up and walk you to your destination. They come within ten minutes. They are always great to talk to and make you feel safe. They're students, too, so you can ask them anything about student life.

Clubs and Activities

There are 377 clubs. You should be able to find something. If not, you can always make one!

Great for these types of students

Optimistic, ambitious, intelligent, hardworking, reasonable, openminded. SBU is diverse so even if these qualities don't describe you, you will no doubt find your niche here!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Roth Regatta! A team (you pick!) builds and races handmade boats made of duck tape, paint, and cardboard.

Bang for the buck

Because it's public, it's cheaper. But you get a fantastic education nonetheless. And most professors and upperclassmen are always open to helping you.

What to do for fun

Go to school events! They make your college experience worthwhile :)

Food and Dining

It's expensive but there's variety. There are options everywhere. There's going to be a Red Mango station on campus next year. For now, name a country and I guarantee that there is somewhere on campus that you can get that food, or at least near campus.

Academic Rigor

It is definitely not high school. You're expected to read a lot and study much before an exam. In HS, I studied the morning of an exxam and did exquisitely. Now, I have to study a minimum of a week before an exam.

Tips for prospective students

Don't base your opinions on one factor such as a campus tour. Do some research! What helped me the most was collegeweeklive.com, collegeprowler.com, and talking to current students there. The campus tour sucked but my orientation rocked!

In three sentences

School spirit is highest in the Tabler quad. Because the University is separated into quads, it's easier to make friends and meet people. The campus is absolutely beautiful but the dorms should be bigger.

kchen

Stony Brook is beautified with trees, plants, and flowers everywhere. It's great to walk around and hang out. There's a shopping mall about 5 minutes away from campus.

Food and Dining

The food isn't so great there relative to the outstanding price. Food is very expensive and bad.

Dorm Life

Stony Brook is huge, they have over 7 quads for dorms. The environment is very friendly and content.

Academic Rigor

Stony Brook is definitely challenging school. They're known for their excellence in Applied sciences, health sciences, and engineering programs. The staff and professors are very insightful and helpful.

Tips for prospective students

Stony Brook is very challenging, especially in areas of applied sciences and engineering. Always seek help for academic counseling, they're very helpful. Be involved with campus activities, its got a lot to offer.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is a great school with a beautiful setting. It's got a huge variety of majors to offer. Very diverse and multicultural.

Matthew from Stony Brook, NY

07/11/2012

Reviewer is A past student here.

114 of 155

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Campus Safety

There is a walk and ride service for safety, but a recent article by an on campus newspaper outlined how this service does not fulfill its promises. For example: the ride service hardly ever operates. The walk service will not escort male students, only female.

Greek Life

A few fraternities and sororities, but they don't have the best rep around campus.

Clubs and Activities

Fairly large selection of clubs and activities, but getting funding is overcomplicated. USG stands in the way of many clubs.

Great for these types of students

Pre-Med. NY State residents who will go home on the weekend.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Roth Pond Regatta: Build cardboard boats and race them across the pond on campus.

Bang for the buck

The main draw to Stony Brook is the cost benefit analysis. As the flagship State University, it can afford to make education affordable for NY state residents.

What to do for fun

Go home.

Food and Dining

The food is horrible, and very overpriced. Also, they have created schedules that are not conducive to the hours that college students want to eat.

Dorm Life

Dorms are outdated and damaged. There is a 10 year renovation cycle, but many buildings need repairs now. A large percentage of students go home on the weekend, which makes social life tough.

Academic Rigor

Rating based on Pre-Med track. The science classes are fantastic, but that is about it. Everything else is very, very easy.

Tips for prospective students

Only apply here if you are planning to go to med school. Know that a large percentage of students go home on the weekend, and it makes social life very hard on campus.

In three sentences

Despite the existence of resident students, Stony Brook feels like a commuter school. Many of the classes are taught by graduate students or TAs. SBU is really only good for students on the Pre-Med track.

Onki from Great Neck, NY

07/10/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

115 of 155

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Campus Safety

Stony Brook is a very safe campus. There are a lot of people just walking around campus making sure everything's alright. The campus police is always on call and will attend to a problem immediately. Definitely a very safe place to be.

Greek Life

The Greek life is VERY big on campus! It's also a lot of fun. The idea of having a small family on campus to have your back is so comforting. These people become lifetime friends and they push each very hard to strive for their dreams. It is a great thing to be a part of.

Great for these types of students

Being around Stony for about 3 years, I've noticed many different types of people and because a lot of lectures in Stony Brook are very large in quantity, students here are very self-motivated and hardworking. You may not notice many of these things on a first meeting, but when time passes you realize how hard each student tries to achieve the best they can be.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are a lot of tradition when it comes to Stony Brook. Coming into Stony Brook as a freshman you will learn one by one these traditions. Things like Roth Regatta or Homecoming, etc. Even many events hosted by clubs have become iconic on campus!

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook is definitely worth the tuition. Although the tuition continues to raise within the years coming up, Stony Brook continuously grows to live up to the extra money each student is spending on tuition. They are a fast growing campus.

What to do for fun

Like many campuses, there are many programs and activities that you pay for in your tuition fee. Take advantage of this, join a club, go to the campus gyms, join a team! There are plenty of things to participate on campus. Stony Brook is known for their weekly campus life time! Every Wednesday from 12-2/3pm there is ALWAYS something going on in the middle of campus! It could be a fair one week or a farmers market the next week! Stay active on campus! You will not regret it.

Food and Dining

The food on campus is alright. you get a lot of choices. Though being there 4 years, you'll end up getting a little tired of the variety. Many upper class men will have suites and dorm in kitchen dorms, giving them the option of cooking or buying food on campus.

Dorm Life

Dorming comes with the college experience. In my opinion, if you're attending college and have the option to dorm on campus, then do it. It is one of the most exhilarating experiences I've ever been through. You have this opportunity to be out on your own, but also within the safety of a campus residence team. Dorming definitely benefits a student in ways that strictly education may not.

Academic Rigor

Depending on which Stony Brook program you are in, the level of rigor varies. Although certain programs are in general a lot more tough than others, Stony Brook is a very well known school for many programs that it has listed. Among the hardest and most popular is our engineering and Health Science/Pre-Med Program.

Tips for prospective students

Don't let the idea of going to college intimidate you. It it a great place to be. Freedom from parents give a student the opportunity to get out on their own and experience life without restrictions. Learning by experience is the best way to learn right?

In three sentences

For a first time student, Stony Brook is a huge campus with plenty to do. As the years go by, each student becomes closer to their perspective majors and grow together as community as a whole, rather than an individual. This is definitely a great place to be if you enjoy a tranquil campus with nearly all necessities in the near by towns.

Allan

07/05/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

116 of 155

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Campus Safety

I've never felt as safe anywhere as I have on the Stony Brook campus. There is a good number of state police troopers patrolling the roads and there is the blue light system. The blue light system is a network of emergency phones located through the campus that call for help with the press of a button.

Greek Life

Greek Life as Stony Brook is on the rise and is growing with each year.

Great for these types of students

Everyone.

Bang for the buck

One reason many people choose Stony Brook is because of how little the education costs relative to its quality. Stony Brook is considered prestigious in many fields and yet the cost is several times less than the cost of more prestigious universities.

What to do for fun

It depends what you are into. Stony Brook has a club or organization literally for anyone and anything. From archery to cooking, from powerlifting to Magic the Gathering, from honor societies to a vastly expanding Greek Life, there are hundreds of clubs to join.If you don't find a club for your interest (you most likely will), you can start your own club and receive funding.

Food and Dining

The only reason I didn't give this category one star is because there are dining halls open until 3 am which is very useful at times. However, there has recently been a change in the dining company that handles all on-campus dining and the new company is terrible. First, it is very difficult to eat healthy. While healthy food is offered, it is very expensive and isn't out as late as the junk food. For example, the salad bar closes early (around 9 PM). The dining company has packaged salads and sandwiches available after 9, but I have had several issues with freshness. If you live and eat at Roth Quad, get ready for your freshman 15. The Roth dining hall has Wendy's, California Pizza Kitchen (being transformed to Red Mango?), a healthy food place that is not open nearly as often as Wendy's, and a small cafe which has sweets and packaged salads and sandwiches. Second, the prices are unjustly high. It is understandable if freshly cooked food is expensive but some other prices are not justified at all. $1.75 for a simple bottle of water, $2.50+ for a bottle of soda, and $3.25+ for other drinks (sugary non-juices) is not right. The students that live here don't have another option and profiting off of necessities shouldn't be an objective of the university. Finally, the dining halls are constantly crowded. One has been slightly expanded but during peak times it takes over 10 minutes to get food, and at least another 10-15 minutes to wait on line to pay. They are expanding another dining hall, but this expansion will only solve the problem at that one hall and not the rest of them. If Stony Brook solves their dining problems, students will be much happier and satisfied with their experience.

Dorm Life

Relative to other universities, Stony Brook dorm life is average. There are six quads, with five buildings in each quad. 12 out of 30 buildings are new while the rest are old. The older buildings aren't in great condition. Stay away from older corridor style buildings because the bathrooms are constantly disgusting and the building staff cannot do anything about it.

Academic Rigor

The pre-med classes are very rigorous while other departments are generally less difficult. Out of personal experience, the biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics classes are very difficult and not everyone can succeed at them. This is why Stony Brook is becoming more and more prestigious every year and which is why Stony Brook has a high acceptance rate for medical schools. Again, out of personal experience, even though the psychology program is very highly ranked, the classes aren't terribly difficult. This is because the faculty that teach are extremely good at what they do. They love their subjects and know them inside-out which makes seemingly-difficult material interesting and easy to understand.

Tips for prospective students

Do your research on the quality of schools for your major. For example, while Stony Brook is a leading school in Pre-med, Psychology, Astronomy, and many other fields, it is a weak school for Business. Another tip: Unless you are a journalism major, steep away from the News Literacy class. Although the class is marketed well here (it is a great and interesting class), the class is extremely difficult and most students regret taking it.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University has challenging but not impossible academics. The campus community and the Greek Life community are constantly growing and improving yielding to greater student satisfaction every year. However. perhaps the greatest asset Stony Brook has to offer is the wide array of research and other opportunities that can easily set its students apart from other universities.

Gabriella from Huntington Station, NY

There are a lot of activities for all of the student body to get involved in as a whole.

Food and Dining

There are a lot of choices including Wendy's. The campus dining halls could be better.

Dorm Life

I am a commuter so I don't know about the dorm life.

Academic Rigor

Classes are extremely difficult. Some of the professors do a good job of teaching so you understand everything and some don't. There is always extra help available that is recommended by all teachers. Even with not understanding I was able to get B's and make the honor roll.

Tips for prospective students

Be active in your education and class selections. Advisors are not that helpful and you will end up not taking classes you need and taking some that you don't.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a very prestigious college and very affordable. The classes are hard but the grading takes that into consideration. Many people commute because the weekend nightlife is non-existent.

Michael from East Setauket, NY

I attend movies, shop, and hang out with friends on and off campus. There are several locations to hang out and make and meet new friends.

Food and Dining

The University offers a wide range of food options from healthy to every one's late night treat. Excellent food sources across campus and you will never go hungry. There is always something for everyone.

Dorm Life

Don't live on campus.

Academic Rigor

Classes are challenging as well as rewarding at the same time. The information one gains in class will help guide you on your future and career choices.

Tips for prospective students

Make time for studying as well as personal life. Join clubs and attend sporting events to meet fellow students. Speak with advisers to make sure you stay on your goal for graduation.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a college that allows its students to learn in various different manners and in many styles. The university staff and advisers are excellent sources of information and are great at explaining what needs to be done to achieve your goals as a student. Overall it is a great choice for those who are looking to attend a college that allows you to grow and focus on topics of various interest.

Anonymous

05/22/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

123 of 155

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Comments

Campus Safety

The campus is pretty safe. There are many services available for students such as 2 ride, which is a safety car ride system after 10 to transport students to their room if it is far and too late to walk outside. The university police is constantly patroling the campus.

Greek Life

There is a great array of Greek life on campus. There are always information session in the main building of the campus called the SAC. There is also the Stony Brook Union that has flags of every recognized fraternity and sorority with their letters on it.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There is the Roth Regatta, which is a boat race in the pond of Quad Roth. This and the strawberry Fest occur in the Spring Semester. At the end of every semester, there is a midnight breakfast, and midnight scream, where all the students hard at studying for finals let their raged voices out screaming in the night. The midnight breakfast is served since every student is low on meal points by that time of the semester it gives them an opportunity to have a good hearted breakfast at midnight.

What to do for fun

There's actually a lot to do for fun at Stony Brook University; however it requires being active and look out for the numerous events posted on bulletins and hallways. There are also a variety of gym classes such as zumba, kickboxing, pilates, and many others. My favorite would be zumba, along with that there annual festivities such as the Roth Regatta, Strawberry Fest, and back to school carnival. I would rate this category to be a 8.8.

Food and Dining

Food and dining in this school is pretty decent, however the food is quite pricey. For example a container of fruit is around four or five dollars. The pricing can be manageable if one is in a meal plan, however trying to spend real cash is quite heart breaking. There is also sushi and an Asian food center called the Wang Center, which is pretty nice. I would rate food and dining to be a 7.4, only because there should be more dining hours.

Dorm Life

The dorm life comprises of quads with several buildings in each quad. The dorm life varies on which quad you live. The old buildings are obviously not so nice looking than the newer ones, and not all of them have air conditioning, about two quads have. I would rate dorm life a 7.5.

Academic Rigor

The academic rigor here is pretty tough especially in science classes. Most classes at least that I have taken did not have a curve or anything. You most of all need to work hard in them, regardless of the fact that it's a general ED requirement or a major class. I would rate academics an 8.9.

Tips for prospective students

A tip for prospective students is that they should try to make the best of Stony Brook University has to offer, and take advantage of the opportunities offered there. For example I would tell a future student to look for a job, there's an array of jobs they can apply to including work study, because once they are set in a place, it is easy to move on with it as the college years go by.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is a prestigious university with many areas of specialization. In ranking this school out of a ten scale, I would rate it a 7.5 or an 8. This school primarily depends on how you make it to be, it can be either great, or very bad.

Sabrina from Brooklyn, NY

05/18/2012

Reviewer is A past student here.

124 of 155

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Comments

Clubs and Activities

One club to be apart of especially if you find yourself spending a lot of time on campus over the weekends is the Student Activities Board. They are the ones planning the festivals, concerts and activities so make your voice heard and maybe your favorite band will come play at the school, mine sure did! But there are sports clubs, special interests groups, bands, dance troupes, step teams, you name it and they probably got it and if they don't start it! Stony Brook is very open to making sure all of their students have a place where they can share their interests with others.

Great for these types of students

Every type of student can find a place for themselves at Stony Brook.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Now they say that there is a Bamboo forest behind Tabler Quad that has an abandon house and a trail that leads to Mendelson. Now I am not going to tell you if it is really there so you should definitely check it out one night.....oh by the way beware of the ware-cat!

What to do for fun

Most people take advantage of Stony Brooks proxiamety to NYC and go out there for a night out on the town on weekends while during the week they take a trip across the tracks to one of the local clubs on a thursday night. Don't worry if you find yourself stuck on campus over the weekend the Student Government is always planning fun excursions (paint-balling, shopping at the outlet mall nearby, white water rafting, etc) so make sure you check the postings they have up in the SAC and see what is going on.

Food and Dining

Now I am not sure if this a good thing or not but there is definetly tons of food on campus. Some of the eateries are only oopen during select times while others are 24 hours. Stony Brook has a Taco Bell, Wendys, Starbucks, an Asian eatery with; Indian, Japanese and Korean foods, and other random types of food like pizza, Mexican, West Indian/ Hispanic fare and some Kosher, Macro and Vegan selections. If you are following an alternative diet (Vegan, Kosher, Macro) there unfortunately will be some difficulty in finding food late at night or the weekends so you will definitely want to take advantage of the bus to the mall/target/trader joe's on the weekends.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is a little difficult to speak on beacuse there are just so many different types of dorm experiences on campus. They really do try to make a living situation appropriate for the different types of students that may attend. So if you need 24-gour quiet there is a place for you or if you prefer to live in an apartment style dorm there is that opportunity as well hot to mention the traditional corridor style rooms are also available. The only major downside across the board that I can think of is that the rooms aren't really that big for the older buildings but they have built some new dorms that are supposed to be roomier.

Academic Rigor

Stony Brook is hard. Especially if you are a science/medicine major you are definitely going to have to work to get the grades you want. That is not to say that the other disciplines are easier because I will tell you now they are not. So be prepared to work your butt off but you will get back what effort you put into your studies.

Tips for prospective students

My number on tip for prospective students is to honestly, stay on top of your credits!!! Because while you are enjoying all stony brook has to offer you definetly should keep in mind that you are there to study and graduate,,,eventually. As a second piece of advice is to take classes that spark your interest not just what is in your intended major because college is really a time for you to figure out what really interests you and what you want to spend the next phase of your life pursuing.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is more than just a great school it can be an awesome chance to learn more about yourself, your peers and the world around you if you take every opportunity that the school offers. SB offers numerous clubs, jobs, internships, academics facilities, study abroad programs, athletics, and plus it is super close to New York City. What more could you ask for?

International Student from Stony Brook, NY

SBU is probably the only few great schools with a reasonable price tag to it.

Tips for prospective students

Students here, in general, are sad and full of complaints. That is unless you join clubs and meet the passionate and motivated bunch. In other words, BE ACTIVE, and SBU is your dream school. It's easy to thrive in and has a very diverse community.

In three sentences

Pros: BU is filled with research opportunities, and it is a very community-service driven school. Cons: It's a commuter school (I plead guilty to being a commuter myself) and that means the weekend life is sad, but rest assured, the University is improving by the semester.

Very diverse clubs and activities, almost anything you can imagine. You can also petitions to start your own clubs and activities on campus as well.

Great for these types of students

Anyone interested in a career in the sciences. Pre-health, Science majors, and research are some of Stony Brook's most popular and competitive choices.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Roth Regatta - Every spring, students from all over campus gather by a large pond in Roth Quad to compete in a regatta using painted boats made out of cardboard and duct tape. Every year, there is a different theme to the Regatta. Tons of people, free food & drink, and fun.

Bang for the buck

Good education for the price. You are essentially paying a fraction of what others are paying at other Universities for almost the exact same education.

What to do for fun

There are a lot of events that go on through out the year. Once a year, there is a large concert with Bruno Mars performing last year and Wiz Khalifa performing this year. Weekends can be dead because Stony Brook is a huge commuter school.

Food and Dining

Food and dining are pretty good compared to most Universities. There is a California Pizza kitchen, Wendy's and Dunkin Donuts on campus, as well as a wide variety of cuisine, such as Chinese, Mexican, and American.

Dorm Life

Pretty comfortable. New dorms are being built, the most recently completed ones built just 2 years ago. Stony Brook offers both corridor and suite style rooms.

Academic Rigor

Very fast paced and rigorous. Stony Brook competes with Ivy league schools in the Sciences and research. If you are looking towards the sciences, don't expect an easy ride here. The way professors run the classes here make Stony Brook a very competitive school.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you know what you want to do with your life and what classes you need to take. Although you have until junior year to officially declare a major, it will save you a lot of time and money if you know what you want from the start. Definitely check ratemyprofessor.com before you take ANY class, especially the general science class. It will save you a lot of pain and stress.

In three sentences

A good school if you are interested in a career in the Sciences or Medicine. If you are interested in a career in the Liberal arts or something not related to Science, you will have a very easy time here. If not, prepare to work your butt off.

Great for science/math majors because of the resources. The humanities majors are building and getting more prominent, but science and math definitely define stony brook.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There's Earthstock where the campus celebrates the environment around earth day. There's strawberry fest where everything on campus involves strawberries and ends with a strawberry fight I believe. There are even more interesting events.

Bang for the buck

Lots of opportunities and if you're and in-state student, very good price because it's a SUNY.

What to do for fun

There are over 300 clubs, many events go on each week. There is a time of day every wednesday called campus lifetime where there are almost no classes scheduled so lots of activities go on then.

Food and Dining

Lots of selection, places such as dunkin' donuts and wendy's and starbuck's, among others, call for change up. The general dining halls have everything from pizzas to salads to sandwiches to asian cuisine and have something different for each day of the week, so there are a lot of options.

Academic Rigor

Tough classes, lots of work, nice teachers. Most professors want to see you excel, but there is no doubt that they're giving you lots of work.

Tips for prospective students

Look into your prospective major and see what courses you'll have to take, look up your professors on ratemyprofessor.com, and see a sample course sequence for different majors so you aren't overwhelmed when it comes to selecting classes each semester.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University has many resources that allow its students to excel. There are opportunities to get involved in internships, research, and campus life. The campus tries to make life fun with lots of different events each week.

Rosie from San Francisco, CA

It's dorm food. Okay for the first semester, makes you want to vomit every semester afterwards.

Dorm Life

It's a dorm, what can I say... DON'T LIVE IN ROOSEVELT QUAD, that's what I can say, haha... a lot of people go home for the weekends so things can be dull. Most of dorm life really depends on who your floormates are, and I think that's the case everywhere.

Academic Rigor

I'm a health science major, once biology major. The classes were pretty easy freshman year, but the 200-level bio courses really slammed me hard. Watch out for BIO203... I haven't taken it yet (Summer 2012!) but I have heard all the stories. From what I've heard from my transfer friends, Stony Brook classes are more difficult than the classes they had taken at their previous institutions.

In three sentences

Pretty good for science majors. Beautiful in the fall and spring. Very reasonable tuition.

Allyson from North Woodmere, NY

04/14/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Dorm Life

If you live in suite style, it is not very social. Corridors are constantly quiet and empty, and the most socializing is done within the common rooms of the suites. I have moved out of suite style and into corridor style because i do not like the setting. Although I like corridor style better, the dorms at Stony Brook are all together worn down, super tiny, claustrophobic, and a bit filthy. There is nothing appealing about any of the dorming facilities, with the new buildings (Lauterbur and Yang) and West Apartments being an exception.

Tips for prospective students

This school is a great school to begin to learn how to be mature, responsible, manage your time, and especially begin gaining the knowledge to achieve your future career goals. Do not underestimate the amount of work you will have to put in, as for this is a prestigious and rigorous research university with particularly difficult courses in fields of science and mathematics. The school provides great support teams including free tutoring and learning centers, as well as facilities that can help students with emotional, psychological and stress difficulties. I recommend all students find a roommate theyd like to live with ahead of time as for there are high chances of ending of with a roommate who does not fit your interests or your liking.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University is a prestigious public university that provides the students with an outstanding education at a great value. Especially for those seeking a future career in a medical field, being a rigorous research school Stony Brook has all the right connections and best programs, all for an affordable tuition price. It also has other great programs, such as business, studio art, and journalism.

Ryan from Peachtree City, GA

RSP and campus police remain on call all day and night and are willing to protect students.

Greek Life

I know nothing about Greek Life.

Clubs and Activities

There are too many clubs on campus for me to even begin to enumerate.

Great for these types of students

Stony Brook is great for artsy students, students with a drive for science and I hate to say it, but it's also a wonderful place for students who want to party.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

During finals week, at midnight, students would run around outside and yell.

Bang for the buck

I think Stony Brook is highly worth it. The teachers, for the most part, want to help students as much as possible. The facilities on campus are mostly state of the art and can possibly help many students achieve higher goals.

What to do for fun

Contrary to popular belief, there is plenty to do on campus to stay occupied. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of clubs on campus to get involved in. I know for a fact Stony is a party school, so you can always party. There are scenic places on campus to chill around at.

Food and Dining

Food can get monotonous. For many students, it's pizza everyday as everything else can get slightly more expensive. A lot of times, buying something that you've never had before could be a toss-up because you never know if it's going to be good or not.

Dorm Life

I am a commuter student, but I have visited many of the dorm rooms enough to give a valid opinion (I think). Don't get me wrong: the dorms are nice. But there is no AC in many buildings and in some, no heat. This is a problem for many.

Academic Rigor

For science majors, the academics are highly rigorous. For other majors, from what I have heard (I'm a science major), the workload and rigor is not too much.

Tips for prospective students

Take the first two semesters seriously. Rather than playing around and partying, use your time wisely to study hard for exams (exams are the most important factor in GPA here at stony brook) and do all homework, as this is good practice for exams. Also, many students get lazy and don't go to lectures. GO TO LECTURE. This is very important for learning the material.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a wonderful environment for students in pursuit of a science degree. The research and hospital environment here at Stony Brook is very influential to those students who want to delve into the world of science or medicine. I have heard complaints from students pursuing other disciplines that the workload doesn't reflect the major in comparison to science majors.

Courtney from Los Angeles

03/20/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

8 out of 15 people found this review useful.
1 person found it offensive.
5 people found this inaccurate.
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Campus Safety

I have never in my life seen police take such advantage of their power and catastrophize situations. I once woke up to 8 policemen lining the end of my hallway and acting rather secretive. I asked my Resident Assistant (RA) and my RHD (Residence Hall Director) what was going on, neither of them knew or seemed the least bit concerned. After this occurrence, and countless times seeing 4 cop cars with sirens blaring, arresting a single student outside of my building for possession of marijuana, I am used to it. I have grown accustomed to this sort of overreaction and I know not to think twice if I see cop cars surrounding my building. I feel these police men are not here to keep us students safe, but rather to abuse their power. I feel most protected by the student volunteer night watch, who wear neon vests and jiggle door handles to be sure students are locking their dorm rooms. Additionally, it is incredibly easy to gain access to any of the campus housing. Despite being told not to and having to swipe an ID card to enter, students leave doors propped, hold doors for others, and none thinks twice. A friend of mine from the city came to surprise me on my birthday and had no trouble getting into my building and finding my room. Ordinarily this would not be a concern, but earlier this year, there were burglars, students, on campus, who broke into a number of dorm rooms and stole expensive electronics. I spend a good deal of time around NYU and Pratt buildings in the city and in Brooklyn and both of these schools require ID checks from everyone by a security officer and visitor passes for visiting students.

Greek Life

Between the middle of July, the Summer before you attend, and the first two weeks of school, you will likely make the mistake of accepting Facebook requests from the presidents of the sororities and fraternities. They will then bombard you with opening weekend party invitations, which at first will seem like fun. Then you will attend one. One of two things will happen: 1. You will enjoy your time, and then be recruited to join one of the sororities/frats. or 2. You will realize what a complete waste of time it is to stand around drinking, wearing revealing clothing, and being hit on by members of the opposite sex (because the Greek system is incredibly heterosexual-not a criticism, just an observation-) who will most likely not remember your name in the morning. The Greek system here is heavily funded by the Undergraduate Student Government, since it attracts a lot of people. Very little of that funding, however, is put to good use. The frats and sororities, which are all off campus and require a cab ride to get to, throw parties in an attempt to create a scandelous image, though the result is merely a stuffy, low-class house party with techno beats and beer tap-stained furniture. These students involved have an obnoxious sense of entitlement to USG funds, and an inflated self-image. College is supposed to be a transitional time from child to adulthood, a time in which you become a responsible adult. What actually happens here is that children go crazy without limitations and take no responsibility for their actions. I don't mean for my review to read like the outline for an after school special. I am not condemning the choices people make, but rather the lack of responsibility that is assumed when making those choices. About once a month, I will go wine tasting in the city, buy my two drink minimum at a comedy club, or go to some of the clubs in the city. However, I am always in good company, I am networking, I am doing things relevant to my major, and still manage to have fun. I subscribe to peoples that will contribute to a positive reputation, as opposed to joining the Greek system which, at Stony Brook, will do very little in contributing to a positive future. The Greek system at SBU provides minimal, temporary escapism. Their events' impermanence and lack of passion for anything specific so transparent that even the students involved with the Greek system will admit to this lack of direction, they just don't care.

Clubs and Activities

If I could give this less than 1 star, I would. The charity work on this campus is contrived, thus extinguishing the very purpose of charity work. Also the special interest clubs I joined at the beginning of the year, including the Improv team and the American Marketing Association, did nothing for me. Not only was the improv team run unprofessionally, but it was led by people who were entirely unqualified to be coaching an improv team. The American Marketing Association, which supposedly looks very good on a student's resume, and advertises itself as being a wonderful marketing and networking tool, has been anything but. While I'll admit, it is probably more useful to business majors, and to students who have never had a job before, for the rest of us, it felt like a waste of time. The American Marketing Association comprises a number of rudimentary workshops about resume building and how to get business cards, which are things students should already do before coming to college.

Great for these types of students

Med students seem to have the most positive experience at Stony Brook. Students majoring in the humanities, however, are not paid as much respect, attention, and the classes are easy A's.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There is a lovely hiking trail on this campus, notoriously known as the Rape Trail, that connects Roosevelt and Tabler Quads. This is where many students can be found smoking and procrastinating homework.

Bang for the buck

I am planning on transferring to NYU, where, with my travel expenses home included, I could potentially be paying $60,000 a year (before financial aid). I am willing to pay that as opposed to the $13,000 I am paying as an out-of-state student attending Stony Brook, because the ratio of bang to buck is much greater at a private four year. Remember: You definitely get what you pay for with college. You are not getting the same education for less as my parents were convinced when I initially applied for schools. Shop around for schools that emphasize your major. As a cinema studies major, I am not taught by one person who is in any way affiliated with the film and television industry. Wheras, at NYU or Columbia, I would be taught by industry professionals, with real insight, and be given more opportunities to network and intern, which is a big part of what college is all about.

What to do for fun

Though it is a two hour train ride, go into New York City on the weekends. Campus life is nearly non existent, though, I am not sure I would want to participate in it if it did exist. I attended one fraternity party my first weekend on campus, and I am glad to say it was also my last. The environment was disgusting, trashy, a meek attempt at emulating the typical college parties you see in films like American Pie or Van Wilder, complete with keg stands and a few too many gentlemen wearing Parties With Sluts t-shirts. These parties lack class and purpose. There is no networking going on, there is no interesting conversation being had, the entertainment is limited to beer pong, strobe light dancing, and house music over cigarette-burned basement floors. In the city, you can attend shows, go bar and club hopping, attend NYU and Columbia parties (which are far classier), and go museuming for free.

Food and Dining

I would not self identify as a foodie, per say, but I am glad to have a Starbucks on campus, included in my meal plan. Additionally, the Asian dinning cafeteria, Jasmine, is phenomenal. I strongly recommend stopping by Jasmine or the Kelly fish market for a bite to eat.

Dorm Life

The dorms are fine. They are nothing spectacular, but they are livable. Many people complain about campus housing here; I do not. I suppose this is because I did not have high expectations to begin with. I was also lucky to been assigned a roommate I get along well with, which I am sure has contributed to a positive dorming experience.

Academic Rigor

As a freshman who wants to transfer, I wanted to be sure all of the classes I took demonstrated academic rigor. Both first and second semesters, I took as many third level courses as I could so my transcripts looked more impressive. While these classes were more interesting, they were not any more challenging than those I took throughout high school.

Tips for prospective students

Unless you are aspiring to go to med school, I would recommend researching other schools.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a land bereft of creativity. The focus of the school is primarily on the medical school, and little attention is paid towards the humanities. Though it is a public school, Stony Brook does not suffer from lack of funds, but rather misdirection of funds.

Amanda from Nesconset, NY

They have their own police station and 24-hour escort services. If that's not safe, I don't know what is.

Clubs and Activities

There are tons of clubs and activities, you just need to have the time for them, which I do not - I work two jobs.

Great for these types of students

Stony Brook is great for science nerds, people hoping to be a part of the medical field, or engineers. It has all different types of people, but I find most people go for the great science courses.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The campus has a small nature preserve on its grounds in which you can hike, as well as a large pond filled with geese, fish, and turtles near one of the dorms. Stony Brook also hosts its own sci-fi convention, ICON, right before spring break.

Bang for the buck

Even though the tuition is ever steadily climbing, there was not a better school in New York State for my interests, and I personally think there isn't a better science school on the island.

What to do for fun

I'm a commuter, so I don't rely on Stony Brook's campus for fun. However, the campus is surrounded by great attractions. It's not too far away from Port Jefferson, Tanger Outlets, or the Smithhaven Mall, and New York City is a train ride away.

Food and Dining

There is a lot of food all over campus, lots of places to eat, and a great variety. However, it's not a five-star restaurant.

Dorm Life

I'm a commuter, so I don't know anything about dorm life, but I've heard it's pretty boring. Stony Brook puts forth a lot of effort to entertain the students (commuters and dormers alike) but it doesn't seem to help much on the weekends.

Academic Rigor

I think Stony Brook is reasonably challenging, but it depends on your major. As a science major, a lot is expected but the work is fulfilling and really sets you up for a career in that field.

Tips for prospective students

The trick to Stony Brook is to like what classes you take and study! The professors aren't fooling around, but they will help you with anything before the big tests.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is a beautiful campus with some of the nicest staff around. Advisors, teachings assistants and the staff themselves are so incredibly helpful with anything that may not be clear otherwise. Stony Brook also offers a lot of opportunities and is always sending out emails for job offers after and during college!

Meghan from Bay Shore, NY

The campus is very safe. There's even a number you can call to have someone walk you to your dorm or car on campus at night so you don't have to walk alone. It's very safe- I never feel threatened.

Clubs and Activities

There are tons to join and if there isn't one to join, it's very easy to start your own! The clubs are diverse- hundreds to choose from.

Great for these types of students

Stony Brook is great for pre-med, engineering and science (chemistry, physics etc.) students. The Psychology department is also great. The professors in every department are prominent in their field, meaning you'll get a great education. If you're interested in research, there's no where better than Stony Brook.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The Staller Center on campus is great. There are plenty of little areas to hang out and study where it's quiet. Also, if you're a musician, you can go to the Staller Center and reserve a room to practice or record your music! It's great. There's also a game of humans vs. zombies (HVZ) that goes on every year around Halloween and before spring break. It's fun to participate in and hilarious to watch if you aren't in it.

Bang for the buck

The tuition is great for the education you're getting, even if you aren't a NY resident. There are also a lot of scholarships available to Stony Brook students. Seriously, if you need to save money, consider Stony Brook!

What to do for fun

There are tons of clubs and organizations you can join as well as fraternities and sororities. Stony Brook has events during campus lifetime once a week, concerts and comedians on campus throughout the week and over the weekend. They make sure that there is always something going on on campus.

Food and Dining

There are a lot of options. You aren't going to get home-cooked meal quality food at stony brook, but it isn't typical cafeteria food either. The food is easily accessible wherever you are on campus, but the lines are long!

Dorm Life

The dorms aren't great, but they're better than a lot of the others I've seen at other universities. There are a lot of options and are reasonably priced.

Academic Rigor

The classes, especially science related classes, are very difficult but entirely do-able. There is tutoring available and the professors and ta's are often very helpful if you are struggling. Stony Brook classes offer a challenge, but won't make it impossible to have a great GPA.

Tips for prospective students

Stony brook is great for any major, but is especially great for science majors. Many of the students at stony brook are pre-med or engineering students. The research opportunities are amazing there. It's honestly a great place to be and, especially if you are a New York resident, has a very reasonable tuition for the great education.

In three sentences

Stony Brook is an amazing place to be. The Psychology department is amazing and filled with very prominent professors in their fields. Stony Brook is very quickly becoming one of the top schools in the country, especially for research, and it is living up to it's name.

Subramanyir from Westhampton Beach, NY

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

0 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

campus police provided by state university and new york state...

Greek Life

not too sure about this... very diverse school though

Clubs and Activities

sports: you name it....

Great for these types of students

adventurous, studious, pro-education, fiscally concerned

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

i'm not too sure of any....

Bang for the buck

everyone knows that tuition is expensive and are concerned with their education. in state tuition is so incomparable to other universities and out of state is quite reasonable for the level of education and nobility of the university. i honestly love this school!

What to do for fun

get involved with service and sports.

Food and Dining

go to the hospital and the sac... the food is out of this world and affordable for the most part on campus. around the area are some fine dining areas and fast food restauraunts.

Dorm Life

dorms are dorms wherever you go. plants vs. zombies will always happen, but the dorms are well maintained, top of the line in almost all aspects, and generally, the person you room with is a pretty neat roommate... you are al there with a common reason right?

Academic Rigor

if you are a student that challeneges themselves with ap's, honors etc. then i suggest applying for the honors program at sbu.

Tips for prospective students

don't be shy, apply!

In three sentences

stonybrook university is a highly esteemed state university that i believe is designed to provide an excellent education at an affordable price. the university is located on the beautiful north shore of long island. stony brook university has extensive cooperative work-study and intern programs for students in addition to the thousands of resources available to aide their students.

professors are really tough and they're not trying to give a lot of as apparently so just study hard.

Tips for prospective students

if your a commuter make friend with a lot of people who dorm just in case there are days you really can't get home you can always stay with a friend.

In three sentences

stony brook is unbelievably affordable compared to a lot of schools. they keep adding a lot of fees which is quite annoying but still affordable. it's a huge campus which is a little scary but eventually get use to it.

Siddharth from San Jose, CA

There are a variety of options on campus from Italian food to Thai food to Indian food, however the quality of food is in need of a big improvement.

Dorm Life

Dorm Life is very active during the weekdays. There are always meetings arranged by the RA's and RHD's where you can always have fun with games and free food. There are quiet buildings in each Quad designed for people who are not as outgoing as others. Only negative is that it is very quiet over the weekends.

Academic Rigor

Stony Brook University is a very tough when it comes to course work for classes. Sciences in this school are especially demanding and need a lot of attention to do well. Even though the teachers do implement a curve on tough classes, it is not something to take comfort in because of the steep competition you are always up against.

Ashley from Amityville, NY

01/06/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The campus is large but have no fear! There are emergency boxes posted on sidewalks in which you can press and be escorted by State certified police officers. In addition, campus residence facilitates a program in which students patrol the residence halls and also escort students if they feel apprehensive to walk across campus alone.

Greek Life

Your first few weeks at the school there will be a plethora of sorority and fraternity events. Attend them if you are curious and even if you aren't go and you may learn something valuable. In particular, the historically black fraternities and sororities host fashion shows, step shows and parties that are a great way to escape a long to do list.

Clubs and Activities

At the beginning of each semester, there will be an involvement fair. There are over a hundred clubs and something for everyone. From joining the newspaper to music appreciation club, you can really fill your agenda with a club meeting Monday through Thursday. If you have a talent and wish to foster it more be sure to meet others who have the same interests and joining a club is the appropriate way to do just that.

Great for these types of students

This school caters to those who only want to succeed in not only academics but some sort of extracurricular activity. In addition, if you breezed through high school with fairly exceptional grades and intend on doing that in college don't come to stony brook. If you are fearless, inspired, driven and willing to step outside your comfort zone you will be pleasantly surprised by what you take away from the school.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Roth Regatta, Strawberry Fest, Stony Brook Concert Series, midnight breakfast/screams before finals and campus involvement hours are all unique traditions of Stony Brook. The camaraderie between the student body and faculty is ostensible and enjoying the great weather and fresh strawberries are more than a student could ask for.

Bang for the buck

Compared to many people I know attending private schools, the couple thousand I pay a year seems like pennies. Stony Brook tries their best to be just but there are 20K+ students and the demands for additional financial assistance as far as scholarships is limited.

What to do for fun

Getting together with friends for dinner, participating in game nights, dance classes, going to concerts or the shows of comedians that visit the school and taking trips to the city every opportunity you get will make your college years at Stony fulfilling. After studying long and hard for a midterm, take a day to unwind and enjoy your roommates or friends. Specifically, I enjoy attending the division one basketball games especially as March approaches and games are intense!

Food and Dining

Food is extremely expensive especially if you don't have a meal plan and have to pay closer attention to the actual price of food. Paying $2.50 for a small ocean spray drink may freak you out at first so go to Costco in the beginning of the semester and stock up on water, juices and snacks. Moreover, the food taste pretty well but can get redundant by the end of the semester. Be sure to take advantage of the different dining facilities Stony Brook has to offer. If you get tired of weekend Brunch in the Union, take a trip over to Kelly and try the fish market!

Dorm Life

Depending on which quad you live in and who you live with, dorm life is really entertaining and provides relief after a long day of running around from the library to your classes. I've come to believe that each quad has something unique to offer and a distinct vibe. For example, H Quad is home to a wide array of people from different majors but most have the desire to participate in leadership and service activities. When you are tired of quiet and more secluded living, you may take a jaunt to Kelly or Roosevelt quad which offers a more urban vibe and lively scene once Friday rolls around.

Academic Rigor

Coming from a small school with no more than twenty pupils in my class was a huge leap to Stony Brook. In particular, if you are a science/ math major with aspirations of graduate school mainly medical school, prepare to be around very driven individuals who will stop at nothing to get the best grades possible. Professors know this and they make the classes the difficult; thus, an A and many times an A- was attained through arduous work and well deserved. More than anything, you will learn time management, independence and acquire discipline if you didn't already come to college with these qualities. Prepare to study religiously and don't second guess yourself if your first test and quiz scores are not what you are used to.

Tips for prospective students

Get to know your peers immediately as they will be one of the best resources to utilize. Developing a group of friends who are just as motivated as you will help you make it through large classes and lessen the rigor of four years of intense classes. In addition, listen to your friends advice about the classes they have taken and the specific professors that teach them. Getting the A is about mastering the material but also about being well aware of what the Professor expects and how he or she grades. Be strategic in how you make your schedule; your first year you don't want to get trapped taking two or three pre-medical classes along with a DEC such as News Literacy. This brings me to my next point. You will be required to take DECs otherwise known as gen. eds. These can either really enrich your college experience or make it really tedious and seemingly stressful. In other words, select DECs that interest you and that you are also willing to work hard if it is required of you.

In three sentences

Stony Brook University affords one the opportunity to achieve goals they never thought possible. You will be pushed and tested but it is for your benefit in the future. For the price of the school, the amount you will learn about life, relationships and in your field of study will be invaluable!

Philip from Fayetteville, NC

09/28/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Stony Brook is great for science majors, for people that love to meet new people, and for people who don't want to be too close to the city, but can get there whenever they want in a couple hours. Stony Brook is good for anybody. You will find people that act the same as you and make good friends.

Tips for prospective students

If you go to Stony Brook, DO NOT STAY IN YOUR ROOM!! Go out, have fun, meet people, party it up on the weekends, don't have class on Fridays, join clubs, get involved. Stony Brook is definitely what you make it. If you do that then you will have an awesome college experience.

Bang for the buck

Stony Brook has very cheap tuition compared to most other universities, but after you accept there are a lot of many hidden fees that pop up such as technology fees, meal plan fees, residence fees, etc.. The food on campus is expensive, but there is some diversity and there is a dominos, dunkin' doughnuts, and thai cuisine right off campus.

Am enjoying being here

I am very much enjoying my time at Stony Brook. I am currently a freshman and have met many people from around the world. During the weekends, a lot of people go home which may make the campus seem dead, but there is usually some type of activity going on on campus during the weekends.

Am learning a lot

Although some are hard to understand, the professors at Stony Brook University know what they are talking about and are always willing to help you in your studies which is very good.

Andy from Brooklyn, NY

Hard working, chilled, and sociable. Without the last trait it will be a boring depressing four years.

Tips for prospective students

Research the majors in Stony Brook, it is a science school after all. Anything other than science or math tends to lack in their departments.

Bang for the buck

Cheap tuition for its rank and education. Only con is that prof. love to make their own required books to make more money even when the books are unclear and if you are looking for financial aid expect a lot of loans. I currently have EFC of zero and ESC of a value lower than 100 and I have to pay roughly 4k each year out of pocket or in loans.

Am enjoying being here

Most of your social life is what you make of it, I know plenty of people who lock themselves in their rooms and never meet new people, it is very easy to fall into that trap if you don't make an extra effort.

Am learning a lot

I came from a lower-end school that prepared us for community colleges (not that they have anything wrong with them) and didn't expose us to challenging material. I felt overwhelmed yet was able to catch on to what was expected of me.

Bajor from Howard Beach, NY

Although I was nervous about attending a school with so many people, I quickly made friends with my suite mates and now we have fun together almost every night.

Am learning a lot

I was actually surprised at how much I learned during my first year here at Stony Brook. As an undergraduate student you are required to complete D.E.C.s in a variety of subjects. These classes helped open my eyes to topics I didn't even know I was interested in.

Samantha from Valley Stream, NY

07/19/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Stony Brook is the perfect location if you live on long island and aren't sure if you want to go far away from home or dorm on campus. For me, it's not too far away but it's far enough that I get to dorm on campus and experience the true campus feel. And if you get homesick, you can always go home for a weekend!

Tips for prospective students

Stay on campus for the weekends! It can be a lot of fun if you look for all the opportunities offered to students and actually go to them.

Am enjoying being here

I love the whole feel of dorming on campus, from being able to walk to class in the morning, to meeting people and not having to worry about rushing to get where I need to be.

Corinne from Douglaston, NY

07/12/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

5 out of 5 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Lots of pre-medical students, but other majors are great and just as respected. All majors have top professors in their field. Explore everything from the humanities to math. Very good for science oriented students. Who knows, you just might double major in biochem and film some day :-)

Tips for prospective students

Amazing school with infinite resources. How many schools are building a hotel on campus in these economic times? Very competitive, but will prepare you for the real world.

Bang for the buck

In state SUNY tuition is low as it is. I personally have financial aid from my FAFSA and some small department scholarships and I don't pay anything out of pocket except for textbooks. Be on top of your financial account. They will charge you for things you already paid for. Know how to annoy the bursar and financial aid office, but be nice.

Am enjoying being here

Stony Brook is a very large school in numbers, but it becomes much smaller once you join an organization on campus. Join a club and it will help your social life greatly. Many tend to stay in their room and study all of the time, but many opportunities exist to meet many people. You make the best of it. Try not to be just another number. Many people are known for their ID number, don't be one of these people.

Am learning a lot

Professors challenge you intellectually every single day. Science classes are extremely competitive especially to weed out pre-medical students. Be prepared for late nights studying. Meet some top people in their respective field. Will never get another opportunity to meet so many intelligent people that are passionate about their subject.

As mentioned, seek out your professors and TA's. Ask questions and them to clarify if you don't understand something. Also, join a club! There are over 100+ clubs.

Bang for the buck

This school is worth it! You learn a lot and you develop as a person. On-campus the food is pricey. Housing is also pricey on-campus.

Am enjoying being here

Like I mentioned 20,000 students, it is overwhelming. There are always events going on on-campus. I liked being at Stony Brook because I found a club that fit me and where I can relate to others. If you find it hard to meet other people, I suggest finding a club or joining an intramural sport.

Am learning a lot

I completed my first semester here as a transfer student in Spring 2011. The adjustment was quite difficult, especially with over 20,000 students. My class sizes were mainly 250+ students. You need to reach out to your professors and TAs for individualized attention. They are very friendly. Even though the class sizes were huge, I learned a lot.

Read the textbook. Even skimming it will not be enough, but if you read and understand whatever book they give you, then you will succeed in doing well in the class. Also going to lectures is very important, especially if they take attendance as that will be part of your grade. However, even if they do not take attendance, going to class is still very important because of the tips and hints the teacher says that you won't know if you only read the lecture, because most of them are found on blackboard.

Bang for the buck

As a SUNY school, if you are instate then Stony Brook is fairly cheap, but one of the top SUNY schools there are. For a lot of math and science majors, it is even better than many private schools. Even out of state students do not pay an incredible amount of money to get a great degree. If you are interested in certain types of research, Stony Brook University has professors doing research who will help you with that. A way which Stony Brook does not help with money is the cost of the food. It is quite expensive and the meal plans will take money out that you do not even get to use, so I suggest getting the lowest meal plan and just adding money on it if you live on campus because you have to get a meal plan if you do.

Am enjoying being here

Extracurricular activities and groups can be fun and rewarding if you enjoy the people in them and the activities you do. For instance, Greek life (sororities and Fraternities) can reward you with networking with hundreds of people who can hook you up with jobs when you graduate, internships while you are at school, or advice for classes they have taken. There are plenty of activities on campus during the week that you will almost never be bored.

Am learning a lot

At Stony Brook University, they offer many different classes with various difficulties. Each professor has their own way of doing things, but I learn a lot in each class. It is necessary to read the textbook for whatever class it is because the professor will base the lectures on the textbook most of the time. Also you have to go to class because the professors might hint on what will be on the tests, but will not put them on the lectures for the people who do go to class to reward them.

A

06/16/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

5 out of 5 people found this review useful.
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Tips for prospective students

There are students here who do not appreciate or are aware of everything Stony offers because they are unadventurous and did not do the proper research. If you prefer a school in an urban area, do not come to Stony. Stony is located in a suburban area, but there is plenty to do if you are involved. Going home every weekend becasue you do not like the suburbs is not a fun way to experience college.

Bang for the buck

Very little tuition compared to other schools. Definitely worth the money because you get a great education. We are one of the two AAU schools from the SUNY system and we have the lowest tuition from the 64 schools.

Am enjoying being here

The environment is great and there are many ways to get involved. The staff at Stony Brook really care about the success and happiness of their students. Students have to take advantage of opportunities and try to expand outside the comfort zone. I have been here for 3 years and do not wish to be elsewhere.

Am learning a lot

Most of the classes I have encountered are great. There are some where the instructor preforms less than expected. I discovered many new interests of mine while taking diverse classes.

Justin from Yonkers, NY

06/09/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

5 out of 5 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

This school is great for the academically oriented student. Anyone who likes to challenge themselves has come to the right school. It is growing to be a haven for those who like the liberal arts as well. Journalism thrives here and so does music/art. But knowing that this school is a science/engineering school, it will definitely provide opportunities for those students who seek the next level in those fields.

Tips for prospective students

I think Stony Brook can be a little intimidating for incoming students. It does seem large and can be puzzling to the average individual who has no clue about college or what is supposed to occur here. But that is the situation with every college. The key to making it successful over here is not over-indulging in parties and social gatherings but placing that to a minimum and being active about one's education. Study hard weeks before your tests and the grades will show your hard work.

Bang for the buck

It definitely is worth my money. Being a SUNY school and having only to pay 16-17K yearly while receiving a superior education at a state school, not to mention the tons of opportunities that come with research in labs and nearby facilities, cannot be attained anywhere else. Stony definitely has the resources needed for the average student to make it well off in their future endeavors. It really depends on the motives and enthusiasm with which each student continues his or her education.

Am enjoying being here

I wouldn't go anywhere else. City College was one of my choices initially. But having been here and making the friends and family I have today are indescribable stories that have to be told. Stony offers a campus lifestyle, something home-y, for a lack of better words, for the incoming freshman. It has its perks with being close to NYC and the dorm life, but can be a bit boring on the weekends. However, there are plenty of clubs to join and friends to make whether that be a dance club, acapella, cultural clubs, and so forth.

Am learning a lot

The education that this university brings to the table for any incoming freshman as well as the upperclassmen is unrivaled. The professors can vary in their effectiveness and enthusiasm when it comes to each and every class. However, the determined effort to put in work is unlike no other. No other university will work you harder in maintaining the grade you seek. In summary, an A in Stony Brook is very well earned and not received by accident. The courses can be challenging especially the science and engineering courses that I have been taking. But staying on track is all you need to make it here.

Get ready to buckle down and study! Courses are challenging, and you really must reach out and find the help that you need. Step out and attend various events, get to know people-they are more willing to help than they seem, and it is a great way to practice networking skills that will help you land a job. Attend info sessions and take advantage of free services- they are there to help you succeed!

Bang for the buck

I feel that the education I am getting here is high-quality. The professors are more than qualified to teach and plenty of resources are provided to help students get good grades. Other resources where I feel the money is well spent is on the career center, which helps identify and link interests to careers, and hosts multiple job fairs, resume and cover letter reviews, networking help and even etiquette dinners. The Wellness Center hosts many group fitness classes, and blood pressure screenings, wellness expos and sessions all to help keep students healthy. Students are given opportunities to do research, which may help with getting a job later on. There are many student events going on all the time, although now that budgets are being cut, the value is not as good as it used to be.

Am enjoying being here

The atmosphere here is competitive, which will help you push for better grades but makes day to day classes a little edgy. Being at such a large university does not exactly have a small-town friendly charm to it either. However, there are so many diverse student groups, clubs and organizations that it is easy to find a niche if you go out and participate, which makes the experience a lot more enjoyable. I will also add that as a out-of-state commuter student, there are still so many ways to get involved that commuting has minimal effect on the groups I can join. There are lots of resources to help commuter students with traveling and they make commuter students feel like a part of the campus community with special commuter events. Without joining a group, though, don't expect to be so pleased- you have to reach out, no one will drag you to the fun events, though attendance is required to some events for the freshman introductory course.

Am learning a lot

At Stony Brook, it seems imposssible to pass any class without really learning the material! The class sizes can be large 400-500 students sometimes, but there are a lot of teaching assistants and staff members who are more than willing to help you understand a topic. There are also learning centers around campus where student can be guided by a tutor ( at no additinal fee) and study as a group, or can study on their own and ask peers for help too. Many textbooks are written by the professors, and sometimes the way they explain a topic is too indepth and can be confusing, so asking a grad student or teaching assistant is a good option. Otherwise, you are learning more than you intended too! In addition, there are many opportunities to do research with a professor on virtually any topic, and doing that will definitely boost one's comprehension of the topic!

Janelle from Deer Park, NY

01/12/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

9 out of 9 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Stony Brook is great for students who were active in high school. The students who made every effort to receive outstanding grades while at the same time were involved in multiple extracurricular activities. activities

Tips for prospective students

The size of Stony Brook may seem daunting but it can be a good thing if you let it. As long as you immerse yourself in the school and the overall experience you will do fine.

Bang for the buck

I feel that what I pay for school is a steal considering the prestigious reputation that Stony Brook upholds. It is significantly less than most other schools and I appreciate that I can get a high-quality education for such a low price. Also, when considering all the things that Stony Brook provides (multiple on-campus computer sites with free printing, free use of gyms and enrollment in extracurricular activities, and the helpful career center) you can't get a better deal anywhere else.

Am enjoying being here

Everything about the school is wonderful. The campus is gorgeous on a sunny day and makes walking around enjoyable. The library is full of helpful information and people, there are extracurricular activities for everyone (ranging from arts and crafts, sports, and dancing class), and the food choices are surprisingly good.

Am learning a lot

I have been attending Stony Brook for a year and half and I have learned quite a bit. The professors are endearing as well as interesting. They keep the topics fun as well as informative, and due to the fact that Stony Brook provides it's students with a large variety of classes to choose from there's always something new to learn.

Amelia from New York, NY

8 out of 10 people found this review useful.
1 person found this inaccurate.
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Great for these types of students

The school is great for people who want to work in the medical field and are hard working. If you just want easy grades, this is not the school for you.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared to work on your own. Strongly consider this school if you want to go into the medical field and ARE WILLING TO WORK HARD. Another big thing, if you are hoping to join a fraternity or sorority, because the school does not support them, none of them have houses on campus. They do exist though.

Bang for the buck

The school gives out scholarships but you have to work for them. The price of the school is amazing because Stony Brook is a well known school but it is not extremely expensive.

Am enjoying being here

I love the school. The first week was hard to deal with but I got through it with the help of great R.A's and wonderful roommates. There is so much to do on campus and there are tons of clubs to join. There is never a dull, boring moment if you live in the dorms. You get to meet so many amazing people. There are a lot of resources and people you can go to if you are having difficultly adjusting to this school. This makes you realize that in a school of over 10k people, the school will still try to focus on you as an individual and help you however they can, so you do not feel scared or intimitated.

Am learning a lot

The classes are extremely difficult if you don't come in with the right mind set. This school is completely different than high school and there is alot of work to be done on your own free time. However, the professors give you so many great resources that studying for exams is a breeze. They also deicate tons of reviews, office hours and workshop classes for the more challenging courses. The workshop classes are mostly 30 or less people, which allow students alot of personal time to clear up any confusion they might have about the material. This school helps you figure out your own learning style and making you more independant instead of holding your hand, which will benefit you in the real world. I am so happy I am enrolled in this school.

Mika from California

10/31/2010

Reviewer is A current student here.

14 out of 14 people found this review useful.
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Tips for prospective students

Study hard and try to avoid overloading your schedule. If you like massive crowds and massive opportunities, this place is for you. If you prefer someplace where people trust each other enough to leave their backpacks in the hallway, perhaps choose a smaller school.

Bang for the buck

I am from California and pay out of state tuition, but it is still a good deal. The education is excellent, but sometimes the accommodations can leave something to be desired. Things are sometimes broken and take a while to be fixed. The laboratories and research are top-notch and opportunities abound, but once again, one must take action.

Am enjoying being here

It's a very large school and sometimes you can get lost. However, there are far more clubs and activities than anyone can ever be interested in, unless all schoolwork is neglected. In that case, Stony Brook science or engineering is still not for you, lest you fail out. Students tend to have a great sense of camaraderie, especially in the harder courses.

Am learning a lot

Stony Brook University is known for its science and engineering-you need to work for your grades. People are smart and motivated and it's very easy to find someone to help you. The more you put in, the more you will get out, especially since everyone else is working just as hard. Please keep in mind for the rest of this review that I personally am an engineering student, and have had the most experience with the engineering workload and curriculum.

Amamah from Huntington, NY

The great thing about stony brook is diversity. The student body is diverse in many different ways and almost anyone can come to stony brook and find their niche.

Tips for prospective students

- Join clubs and organizations. Stony Brook is a large state school, and joining clubs can help new students meet people with similar interests. - Stay on the weekends!! It may seem like there is nothing to do, but staying on the weekends is fun and there is usually something to do, or at least bond with others who stay on the weekends. - Go to classes that are small in size. Many professors take note of who comes and going to classes can prove to be rewarding. - Participate in the different events that Stony Brook has, especially Roth Regatta and Strawberry fest, it is a great way to meet people and have fun.

Bang for the buck

Like all colleges, Stony Brook does have quite a fee for housing for those who live on campus. However, overall, Stony Brook offers an amazing education for the state school price. Moreover, the experience that one makes at Stony Brook can be rewarding and memorable.

Am enjoying being here

Campus life again is dependent on what a student makes of it. Due to its large commuter population, Stony Brook is often referred to as a commuter school. However, living on campus can be quite rewarding and an amazing experience as well. The campus is “dead” on the weekends, however, more events and programs are planned on the weekends to reach out to those who stay. Moreover, there are a number of clubs, intramural sports, and frats and sororities that students can be a part of. There is also a mall run bus on the weekends that takes students to the Smith Haven Mall and the surrounding shopping centers.

Am learning a lot

Stony Brook offers a great, quality education for a state school price, however, getting a quality education depends primarily on the student. Many of the science and math based classes are quite large and are often held in huge lecture halls. Due to the large class sizes, many people don’t go to class, and often, especially in 100 level classes, attendance is not mandatory. However, some professors do take attendance and often attendance, depending on one’s professor can be critical to the class. Majority of the professors at Stony Brook are also quite brilliant and because Stony Brook is a research school, the professors are a great help to students and are often more than willing to help.

Petey

Self motivating, relaxed, and unpretentious. SBU isn't a party school, and students do have to work hard to do well, but the campus is a place to have fun as well.

Tips for prospective students

Don't come to Stony Brook with expectations of a state school experience. The campus is diverse and edifying beyond the limits of the state its in, and will be most rewarding to students who come in with an open mind and who are willing to work with the resources and students on campus.

Bang for the buck

The resources and experiences available to SBU students are incredible considering how affordable the school is, especially for in-state students. Aside from the classes, there are such places to explore as the Staller Arts Center, which offers a variety of professional and student performances for those on campus to enjoy.

Am enjoying being here

SBU has very much a welcoming feel to it. The faculty and the other students are accommodating and friendly, and there is a sense of community among all who attend. There is also always something to do on campus, whether it be student or administration organized, and there are constantly things to get involved in outside of classes.

Am learning a lot

As at any school, at Stony Brook you get out of the experience what you put in, and the most rewarding class will be the one you work hard in, but the effort is made easier by the excellent faculty--the majority of which are renowned experts in their field--and the other students on campus, most of whom are more than willing to help out others in classes.

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